Social isolation: strategies to identify, prevent and combat the phenomenon

Description
Roberto is an 18-year-old, single, who lives with his parents and his twin brother in
Portugal. He isolated himself for almost 2 years after failing a school year and left his
brother’s class. He only left his room once to visit his grandmother. During the night
he watched tv and played on the computer. By day he slept. He didn’t show any
particular interests in any activities.
Family
● Absent father, especially during long periods because of his work.
● His Mother showed some difficulties in imposing herself and in setting limits.
● His twin brother didn’t show any symptoms and didn’t have any problems at the
school.
School
● He was a bullying victim during his teenage time and he was very shy.
Clinical history
● Nothing about alcohol or drugs, neither psychiatry historial.
● His mum looked for professional help because his son never left home and
gained a lot of weight.
● He didn’t want to leave his house to go to the hospital, so the specialized
medical care went to his house. In that visit, the boy demonstrated some
tension and didn’t make any eye contact.
● He was hospitalized for one month. Doctors gave him different treatments until
he felt better and started showing improvement: At discharge, he was more
interactive and collaborative, and accepted the transition to admission to the
day hospital.
Considerations
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The absence of the father as a male-role model, not being able to establish a
connection with a reinforcing figure that recognizes the achievements of
Roberto in school and in his personal life.
The mother was the only parental figure reference for Roberto. In such cases,
the mother is usually forced to play two roles, in this case, the inability to set
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