Detecting malingering of Ganser-like symptoms with tests: A case study

Abstract:

 

A middle-aged man presented with Ganser symptoms. He had been involved in a car crash and was seeking disability insurance benefits. Extensive testing with malinger instruments revealed that he performed below chance on simple memory tests and endorsed a variety of nonexistent symptoms. With this in mind, the authors collected collateral information which showed that the patient was involved in high level sports activities that were difficult to reconcile with the severe cognitive dysfunctions that he claimed to suffer from. The case demonstrates that Ganser-like symptoms deserve close scrutiny, preferably with malinger tests.

Keywords: dissociation; Ganser syndrome; malingering; memory disorders; neuropsychology

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2006.01571.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Experimental Psychology, Maastricht University, and 2: Department of Neuropsychology, Zuwe Hofpoort Hospital, Woerden, the Netherlands