Cross Examining Psych Doctors - Tip #29-Sleep Problems

Sleep problems are often reported in psych reports as support for a clinical depression, a PTSD or some other form of psychopathology including one of the many Sleep Disorders.  When determining the credibility of a psych report it is necessary to check that report to be sure the doctor has provided a history of the patient’s sleeping behavior at a time prior to their reported injury date that includes data about the number of hours of sleep they were getting per night, the time it normally was taking the patient to fall asleep, a history of any middle of the night awakening, and a history of any early morning awakening.  In the absence of a complete history of the patient’s pre-injury baseline for comparison purposes, there is no support to indicate that the patient’s sleeping behavior at the time of the doctor’s examination had changed due to the patient’s reported injury.

Check out my blog (http://drleckart.blogspot.com).  More help can be found at my website (www.drleckartwetc.com) and in my book Psychological Evaluations In Litigation: A Practical Guide for Attorneys and Insurance Adjusters