MILD HEAD-INJURY, SIGNIFICANT IMPAIRMENT ON NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TEST-SCORES, AND PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITY

Typically there is a positive correlation between severity of known br ain injury and level of performance on neuropsychological tests, parti cularly tests of memory and speed of information processing. This pape r will discuss in detail nine individuals who had a history of mild he ad injury, but who presented with significant neuropsychological defic its on testing. In each case, evidence of significant psychiatric disa bility and/or malingering was present and seemed to better explain the poor neuropsychological test findings than did the trauma. All nine p atients showed evidence of significant premorbid stressors, an ''atypi cal'' response style on neuropsychological tests, and vague and unusua l somatic complaints. The importance of interpreting test findings wit hin the context of an adequate history via record review and a thoroug h clinical interview is stressed.