Hussam, 20, is an engineering student. He presents with his parents, who have been concerned about his behaviour over the past three months.
He has been more withdrawn from his family and friends and, at times, his parents have heard him talking loudly to himself. He has been missing classes at university. Hussam’s parents are also concerned that he has not been attending to his personal care. They say he is usually outgoing, an attentive son and brother, and a conscientious and high performing student.
Hussam’s parents were born in Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan and emigrated to Australia after they married. Hussam was born in Australia, followed by two siblings. While they are not aware of any mental health diagnoses in the family, they recognise there are high levels of psychological distress and historical trauma present.
