Pramila lives in a joint family. Besides her husband and two children, her in-laws and brother-in-law also live with them. Her husband works in an office, while her brother-in-law is unemployed and roams around the village. Her child goes to school. Due to the large family, Pramila is extremely busy from morning to night—cleaning the house, preparing meals, serving food, sending family members to school and work, collecting firewood and grass, preparing snacks, cooking dinner, and so on.
In addition to the heavy burden of household work, her husband verbally abuses and physically assaults her after drinking alcohol. Her mother-in-law also does not speak with her directly and instead complains about her to her son. This makes Pramila deeply unhappy. She feels lonely because there is no one to listen to her, her efforts are unrecognized, she cannot express herself to anyone, and she is blamed for everything even when it is not her fault. Lately, she has been experiencing persistent headaches. She visited the health center and took medication as per the advice given, but instead of improving, her headaches worsened.
Despite this, her husband and family continue to label her as “lazy” and scold her. As a result, she feels frustrated, doesn’t feel like talking to anyone, feels lethargic, and begins to believe that she is to blame or that her fate is to blame.
What are the psychosocial symptoms observed in Pramila?
Pramila is showing several psychosocial symptoms. These symptoms can be categorized into four aspects: mental, physical, behavioral, and relational.
Symptoms:
- Feeling frustrated
- Feeling guilty or blaming herself
- Feeling lonely
- Feeling sad
Physical Symptoms:
- Headaches
Behavioral Symptoms:
- Avoiding conversations with others
- Isolating herself
Relational Symptoms:
- Being labeled as “lazy”
- Strained relationships with her husband and other family members
What are the main causes of Pramila’s problems?
- Physical abuse and verbal assault by her husband under the influence of alcohol
- Lack of appreciation despite doing household work
- Poor relationship dynamics within the family
- Excessive responsibilities
Analysis of the Problem:
Social Aspect:
Pramila’s home represents a segment of society. Within it, her family and marital relationships are not healthy. The lack of positive interaction and support has significantly affected her psychosocial well-being, leading to the symptoms described.
Psychological Aspect:
Pramila’s mental state and experiences represent the psychological dimension of the problem, while the behavior of her husband, mother-in-law, and others represent the social dimension. If her social environment had been positive and supportive, her psychosocial health would likely have improved. In this case, the negative social environment has had a direct impact on her psychosocial well-being.
To enhance her mental health and psychosocial well-being, Pramila needs strong family support and individual counseling also require. Over time, involving the family in counseling can also help improve her physical, emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges.
