Deception in the Psychiatric Interview

Abstract

In modern psychiatric practice, a psychiatric interview represents a process of collecting sufficient information to complete series of templates. A focus on facts to the exclusion of their psychological significance, however, or to the interpersonal through which the facts are (or are not) revealed increases the vulnerability of the interview process to a range of adverse outcomes, not least among which is the distortion and nondisclosure of critical information. This process takes various forms, ranging from seemingly accidental failure to identify important facts as such, to calculated acts of deceit. In its wake, both clinician and patient become disengaged from the interview, experiencing affects of boredom, frustration, or mistrust.