"Yet there's method in his madness ...": Dimensions of deception and dangerousness

Undiagnosed malingering (symptom overreporting or fabrication) can endanger mental health staff. This review paper presents a systematic and empirical ly based framework to assess symptom overreporting and violence potential. The first half reviews three models of malingering and their implications f or violence potential. The first model proposes that people who malinger ar e attempting to cope with major mental disorders or organic deficits. The v iolence potential of these often overlooked disorders is explained. The sec ond model describes how some people with character disorders overreport psy chological symptoms and use violence to manage interpersonal relationships. The third model proposes that people who malinger are attempting to get th eir needs met in complex situations Mishandling these often desperate peopl e can result in a dangerous situation. The second half of this article focu ses on conducting evaluations with potential malingerers, including ethical issues, assessment techniques, and treatment recommendations. Public polic y implications are also addressed (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.