Torture and its consequences: A challenge to clinical neuropsychology

The high incidence of head trauma and other causes of brain damage during p olitical torture challenges psychologists and other health professionals to consider the need for thorough neurological and neuropsychological evaluat ions of the survivors they may treat. In this article, the authors argue fo r contributions to the assessment, documentation, and rehabilitation of the consequences of torture from the perspective of clinical neuropsychology o n the basis of ethical, humanitarian, and epidemiological considerations. T raumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder are among the most common sequelae of torture. Neuropsychologists are uniquely qualified to ma ke significant contributions in this area. Indications and limitations of t he utility of neuropsychological assessment in the documentation of torture are discussed, and a brief clinical case study is provided.