Beatrice has been referred for a clinical assessment. She strongly believes she is an intergalactic diplomat representing Earth to an alien fleet. She communicates only in a series of rhythmic clicks and hand gestures she calls "Universal Sign" during public outings, and she wears a heavy, elaborate space-helmet and jumpsuit made of reflective foil.
Because of her refusal to use metal utensils or touch paper currency, which she believes contain alien tracking devices, Beatrice was dismissed from her role as a bank teller. As a result, she is falling behind on her rent, is facing eviction, and has restricted her diet to raw, unwashed root vegetables to avoid what she calls "synthetic contamination."
Recently, believing that a local cell phone tower was a high-frequency tracking beacon broadcasting "harmful cosmic rays," Beatrice climbed a high perimeter fence to try and disable it. She fell from the fence, severely spraining her ankle, and was nearly arrested for trespassing before being taken to an urgent care clinic. When interviewed by a clinical psychologist, Beatrice expressed that she feels a profound sense of purpose and spiritual elevation when preparing for the "arrival" of her alien contacts. However, she admits to feeling extremely isolated, anxious, and deeply terrified that she will fail her mission and that her family is conspiring with the "cosmic trackers" to intercept her.
To what extent are deviance, dysfunction, distress and danger useful in diagnosing Beatrice with a mental health disorder?
You must make reference to the context in your answer.
Practise Edexcel A Level Psychology Content with exam-style questions for A Level Psychology. 1,059 questions covering Biological explanations of crime, Social explanations of crime, Cognitive and ethical interview techniques, Psychological formulation of offending, Cognitive-behavioural treatment for offenders, Biological treatment for offenders, Factors influencing eye-witness testimony, Factors influencing jury decision-making, Individual differences, and Developmental psychology, matched to the Edexcel A Level Psychology (9PS0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.
