Malingering psychosis: guidelines for assessment and management

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2014 Jan;50(1):51-7. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12025. Epub 2013 May 31.

Abstract

Purpose: The purposes of this paper are to (a) identify theoretical underpinnings of malingering, (b) to discuss interview and intervention techniques based on pertinent literature, and (c) to offer an organized mnemonic to help clinicians easily identify possible malingered psychosis presentations.

Conclusion: Detecting the malingering of psychotic symptoms is a challenging task for Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses. Diagnosing a patient of malingering requires caution on the clinician's part.

Practice implications: A thorough understanding of potential signs of malingering vs. genuine psychosis is needed as well as knowledge of legal ramifications.

Keywords: Assessment; assessment of malingered psychosis; malingered psychosis; malingering; management techniques for malingering; psychosis.

MeSH terms

  • Delusions / diagnosis*
  • Hallucinations / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Malingering / diagnosis*
  • Malingering / therapy
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Psychotic Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Psychotic Disorders / therapy