On the basis of the relevant research literature, this article discusses adult sleepwalking disorders, and focuses particularly on the documented cases of violence occurring during sleepwalking. Important diagnostic elements are reviewed, including family history, age of onset, gender, stages of sleep, impairments in memory and judgment, automatic…

This paper considers three clinical judgment biases in clinical inference: (1) illusory correlation bias, the report by clinicians of a correlation between psychodiagnostic test signs and patient's symptoms which are not correlated or are correlated to a smaller degree than that reported; (2) labeling bias, the tendency of exposure to diagnositc…

The relationship between schizophrenia and mental retardation is examined. Historical associations between symptoms of the two disorders are reviewed, and a 3-year study of the incidence (14%) of mental illness in 798 retarded individuals in a community based program is described. Information on the etiological, developmental, and phenomenological…

It is the responsibility of the athletic trainer to diagnose the nature and extent of an injury to an athlete, administer prompt first aid treatment, prevent any exacerbation of the injury, and hospitalize the patient quickly if it is necessary. The importance of these responsibilities is emphasized when an athlete suffers an injury to the abdomen…

The multidisciplinary clinic model for diagnosis and remediation of learning disabilities (LD) in use at Auburn University's Montgomery Learning Disability Clinic is based on an information processing model. Thirty-seven process and academic skills were isolated tests to measure the skills identified, and a computer program to profile strengths…

Described is the use of the Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Tests in the evaluation of children with learning disabilities. It is explained that these tests are based on a combined evaluation of four methods of inference: level of performance, ratio scores (measuring the discrepancy between overlearned and seldom practiced behavior to infer the…

This study examining whether certain textbooks emphasize a semantic presentation of their contents arose from the results of a previous study conducted by the authors. It was hypothesized that certain textbooks would organize their contents by comparing and contrasting symptoms, signs, and disorders rather than simply listing them. (MLW)

In July 1989 the American Board of Emergency Medicine conducted a field test of the oral recertification examination process. Sixteen examiners and 25 examinees participated in the field test. The examination included 3 chart-stimulated recall and 3 simulated-patient encounter cases. (MLW)

This paper on the appearance of acute, healing, and healed anogenital trauma in children who have been sexually abused summarizes what is known, and identifies remaining questions, offers suggestions for ways to obtain answers, and identifies barriers to such research (such as the necessity of using children as subjects). (DB)

Summarizes highlights of a discussion by eight leaders in the field of child sexual abuse concerning the appearance of acute, healing, and healed anogenital trauma in children who have been sexually abused. (DB)

Although the occurrence of medical illnesses in psychiatric patients is quite high, medical illnesses manifested by psychiatric symptoms are often overlooked. The higher mortality rates among psychiatric patients when compared to the general population may be a reflection of neglect or inadequate treatment of the psychiatric patients' medical…

Clients with concurrent substance abuse and other psychopathology constitute an often neglected patient population which presents significant assessment and treatment challenges. Proper treatment requires a careful assessment of issues not always addressed in standard substance abuse or mental health treatment settings. Psychologists with…

Suicide assessment and prediction are important functions performed by psychiatrists. Although the specificity and sensitivity of assessment instruments are poor, trainees are instructed to become proficient in their application. The occurrence of suicides during training confronts trainees with personal and professional limitations. The charts of…

The interpretation of dental X-rays by novices (students) and experts (dentists practicing more than 3 years) was compared. Eight fifth-year novices and eight experts were presented three types of problem X-ray (easy, difficult, and control). Experts were faster in solving the problems and their diagnoses were more accurate. Analysis of eye…

While there have been few reports of psychological assessment of eating disordered patients, studies using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to assess eating disordered subjects found that female anorexics had remarkably similiar profiles (score elevations of 70 or more) to female schizophrenics on the Depression (D),…