How do psychologist know that the person they are evaluating isn't just putting on an act?

Question

You know, sometimes people say things just to get attention or they may be faking for the sake of being put on mind altering drugs. How to do you decipher between the phonies and the ones who actually do have an illness?

Answer 1

so that would be like psychological munchausen? i guess that would make sense cuz there is psychological munchausen by proxy.

Answer 2

Psychologists are well trained in their field, have studied all kind of scenarios and discussed them with colleagues (and still discuss them with colleagues when they are stumped). The tests they give you would give some red flags for them to research in conversation with the client. Psychologists are different from Psychiatrists in that psychologists don't give medication, and people come to them with problems that affect their everyday living or else they wouldn't be there. Initially psychologists give a series of tests, then an initial appointment where the client just talks and the psychologists takes notes. Then the psychologist will ask what does the client specifically think is bothering them. Psychologists usually don't delve into problems, and mostly let the client talk, and then if there is a question the psychologist will either answer it, give you alternatives, or help you to answer it yourself.

Psychologists set up several appointments for a client and the client would have to have a superb memory not to trip themself up. Sometimes people talk faster and detailed about some matters and then very little and not detailed about others, so could be something not spoken there that might be a problem. You can also tell by the eyes, posture, voice inflections, etc. Psychologists do not determine illnesses....Psychiatrists on the other hand are doctors, can prescribe meidcation, and do determine illnesses.

Answer 3

a good psychologist should be able to take what a person says and understand what they "really mean", with all the people they talk to, i'm sure they can sense if a person has ulterior motives. if that person is seeking attention, thats a problem in it's self, the person probably is unhappy if they are sooo desperate attention. a good psychologist in my opinion should try to focus on figuring out why the person is so desperate for attention, they may be in a lot of pain and would benefit from medication.

Answer 4

A psychologist can help only when the client wants help. People can fake but a lie will do more harm than good. Psychologist are trained to ask the right kind of questions. Hence they know who is who.

Answer 5

A competent psychologist should usually be able to tell when someone is lying, and certainly if they are fabricating a illness or symptom, in fact sometimes lying, or putting on a act can be part of a diagnosable mental illness itself.

Answer 6

Psychologists are trained to "see through" those bluffing. It is really quite easy to decipher after a session or two with the client.

Chow!!

Answer 7

through a range of testing and observations and medical analysis, most pretenders are discovered, but that doesn't mean that all are. Even diligent professionals can be fooled by a very creative and intelligent mind bent on faking a condition of metal illness.

Answer 8

Observe them and ask them multiple questions about things they said before? Same as you would anyone else who might be a liar, I guess. Ask them as many ways you can without drawing attention to it?