Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.240

Where Does Culture End and Psychosis Begin? – A Case Report From Transcultural Psychiatry

Dora Vukorepa ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia *
Matea Galetić Pavlov ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Tonći Mastelić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2a, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2a, 21000 Split, Croatia
Eliana Burilović ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Davor Lasić ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2a, 21000 Split, Croatia
Trpimir Glavina ; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Split, Šoltanska 2a, 21000 Split, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Migration and increasing cultural diversity pose a
considerable challenge for contemporary psychiatry.
Language barriers, different religious systems,
and limited availability of anamnesis data may
complicate the diagnostic process and treatment
planning. A patient in his early thirties, a citizen
of Nepal employed as a delivery worker, was admitted
to the psychiatric ward due to psychotic
decompensation accompanied by auto-aggressive
and hetero-aggressive behavior. Accompanied by
the police and emergency medical services, he
was brought in after threatening his roommate
with a knife, saying he would kill him, and then injuring himself by cutting his wrist. According to
the available data, he acted under the influence of
imperative auditory hallucinations. Due to a pronounced
language barrier, initial information was
obtained from the roommate, and later with the
help of an official interpreter engaged through
the Nepalese consulate. During hospitalization,
the patient reported communication with spirits
and demons, while it was subsequently learned
from family members that he identified with the
Hindu religious tradition, in which supernatural
beings have an important symbolic role. Additional
information was obtained about prior psychiatric
treatment, substance use problems, and
episodes of aggressive behavior in the country of
origin. He was treated with risperidone and quetiapine,
with gradual clinical stabilization. This
case highlights the importance of a culturally informed
psychiatric approach in the assessment of
psychotic symptoms in migrants. Differentiating
psychopathological phenomena from culturally
and religiously conditioned beliefs requires careful
history taking, collaboration with interpreters,
and understanding of the patient’s sociocultural
context. Additional challenges include language
barriers, limited social support, and impaired continuity
of psychiatric care after discharge.

Keywords

transcultural psychiatry; migrants; psychosis; religious content of delusions; language barrier

Hrčak ID:

352905

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/352905

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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