Depression after traumatic brain injury: A biopsychosocial cultural perspective

• Examination of cultural perspectives in addition to the biopsychosocial model enabled a treatment team of two South Asian physicians and one non South Asian therapist to formulate and treat a young South Asian male with depression post traumatic brain injury.
• Several cultural factors presented as barriers to psychiatric treatment and initial hindrance to treatment interventions.
• Certain cultural values proved to protect the patient from fatal outcomes.

There are several challenges in diagnosing and treating mental illness amongst South Asians. Often times, formulating a patient's case presentation cannot adequately be accomplished strictly using a biopsychosocial model. The cultural components play an imperative role in explaining certain psychiatric symptoms and can guide treatment. With the growing population of immigrants coming to the United States, many of which require treatment for mental illness, it is essential that clinicians be cognizant in incorporating cultural perspectives when treating such patients.The authors describe the case of a 24-year old South Asian male who suffered an exacerbation of a depressive syndrome after a traumatic brain injury. Using a biopsychosocial cultural approach, this case highlights how South Asian cultural values can contribute to and incite psychiatric symptoms while simultaneously providing protective drivers for treatment outcomes.