Malingering is the intentional production false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological complaints with the goal of receiving a reward. Malingering is not a mental disorder or diagnosis.
Individuals with malingering may feign cognitive impairment; several tests to detect for cognitive malingering include:
Malingering | Conversion Disorder |
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• Malingering: Aware of purpose of symptoms • Usually uncooperative, suspicious, aloof • Avoids examinations and investigations (unless there is a financial benefit) • Refuses employment with partial disability • Describes accident in full “perfect” detail | • Not aware of purpose of their symptoms • Cooperative, appealing, and more dependent • Welcomes examinations and investigations • Accepts employment with partial disability • Describes accident with gaps and inaccuracies |
Hallucinations | Delusions |
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• Continuous • Voices are vague, inaudible • Hallucinations are not associated with delusions • Voices use stilted language • Patient uses no strategies to diminish or cope with hallucinations • Patient states that they obey all commands • Visual hallucinations in black and white • Visual hallucinations alone in schizophrenia • Visual hallucinations are exaggerated in size (very small or very large) | • Sudden/abrupt onset or termination • Patient's behaviour is inconsistent with delusions • Bizarre content without disorganization • Patient is overly eager to discuss delusions |