Mr. R, 56 years old, married, was admitted due to fall. He claims to be paralysed from the neck down hence quadriplegia as a result of spinal cord injury.
MRI, CT scans and other tests required have been performed on him and these ruled out his claims. Also, some physical reassessments proved that this might be a case of malingering.
I even actually saw the man pulling the blanket up his shoulders one morning.
The DSM-IV-TR describes malingering as follows:
The essential feature of Malingering is the intentional production of false or grossly exaggerated physical or psychological symptoms, motivated by external incentives such as avoiding military duty, avoiding work, obtaining financial compensation, evading criminal prosecution, or obtaining drugs.
The doctors are suspecting depression that is why he has been prescribed with antidepressant drugs. I do not know if this is what he wants.
What this man is up to? Only he and time can tell.