The purpose of the present study was to begin development of a psychological profile for environmentally ill patients. Existing psychiatric labels are unable to encompass these patients. Test scores were drawn from a pool of 89 patients whose environmental exposures were verified by the presence of toxins in the blood serum. A Mental Status Exam, a Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised screen, and the Profile of Mood States were administered. Results indicate a primary pattern which is significantly different from test norms consisting of fatigue, reduced mental functioning, and a lack of psychotic or personality disorder indicators. The reported symptoms of environmentally ill patients were objectively verified by current psychological test instruments. The need for a new diagnostic category for people who have been poisoned by environmental toxins is discussed.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc500843 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | Fincher, Cynthia Ellen |
| Contributors | Butler, J. Robert, Harrell, Ernest H., Doster, Joseph A., 1943- |
| Publisher | North Texas State University |
| Source Sets | University of North Texas |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis or Dissertation |
| Format | v, 53 leaves: ill., Text |
| Rights | Public, Fincher, Cynthia Ellen, Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. |
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