Understanding Schizophrenia Through Cultural Lenses in India: A Case Study Using the Cultural Formulation Interview

The DSM-5 Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI) is a person-centred tool that systematically evaluates the influence of sociocultural factors in mental health assessment. It is practical, acceptable, and applicable across diverse clinical contexts. Patients and clinicians differing sociocultural views of illness can cause miscommunications that impact clinical communication, diagnosis, and the creation of culturally relevant treatment strategies. This single-case study used the CFI to explore the perspectives of a woman with schizophrenia and her caregiver, focusing on cultural influences. The patient, diagnosed per ICD-10 criteria at a tertiary care facility, underwent CFI and clinical interviews to assess cultural impacts on her illness experience. Her family attributed symptoms such as disrupted sleep, self-talk, and unusual behaviour to supernatural causes like black magic, reflecting community beliefs. Initially, they sought help from faith healers, with limited relief, before turning to psychiatric care, which improved her symptoms. Despite this, religious practices continued alongside treatment. The patient's limited understanding of her illness led to poor medication adherence. This case highlights the value of incorporating cultural perspectives into clinical practice to enhance adherence and outcomes. CFI aids in gaining a comprehensive understanding of illness and integrating cultural insights into care. Further research should explore its clinical relevance.