Malingered psychosis

The diagnosis of mental illness is heavily reliant on both the honesty and the accuracy of patient statements. Traditionally the veracity of such statements has been assumed; however, particularly in the forensic field, such an assumption may often prove to be naive. The case-example that follows co...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of forensic psychiatry 2001-09, Vol.12 (2), p.407-422
Main Authors: Broughton, Nicholas, Chesterman, Paul
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Diagnosis
Fabrication
Forensic
Forensic psychiatry
Health care
Malingering
Medical sciences
Mental illness
Patients
Psychology
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Psychoses
Psychosis
Truth
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Summary:The diagnosis of mental illness is heavily reliant on both the honesty and the accuracy of patient statements. Traditionally the veracity of such statements has been assumed; however, particularly in the forensic field, such an assumption may often prove to be naive. The case-example that follows concerns a man convicted of indecently assaulting a teenage boy. He presented to forensic services with a variety of psychotic symptoms, which were subsequently proven to be feigned. The case exemplifies certain typical features of malingered psychosis as described in the American literature; however, it is also unusual in a number of ways. It serves to demonstrate that the careful assessment of possible malingering is a fundamental issue for all psychiatrists, especially where the therapeutic alliance may be complicated by external sociolegal issues which could possibly serve as motivation for the fabrication of psychopathology.
ISSN:0958-5184
1469-9478
DOI:10.1080/09585180110056795