Depression and suicidality in an Afghan refugee: A case report. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morrow, Christopher B; Krishna, Nithin
• Is Part Of: Transcultural psychiatry. Volume 56:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 845
• Page End: 852
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Afghan -- depression -- suicide -- refugee populations -- discrimination -- violence; Psychiatry, Transcultural -- Periodicals; Social psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Ethnopsychology -- Periodicals; Cross-Cultural Comparison -- Periodicals; Ethnopsychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1177/1363461519847314
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1363-4615

Abstract

We report the case of a young male refugee from Afghanistan who presented after a violent suicide attempt, likely precipitated in part by discrimination and social isolation experienced after immigrating to the United States. Common psychiatric comorbidities associated with immigration from war-torn nations are reviewed with a particular emphasis on how adequate screening and additional resources for vulnerable refugees during and after immigration continues to be an unmet need. Our findings suggest that there is a critical need and additional studies should be conducted, not only to identify at risk refugee populations but also to prevent potentially violent behavior. Our findings also suggest a lack of an optimal screening tool and shed light on the struggles of refugees, particularly those from Afghanistan.