ABSTRACT
The importance and relevance of forensic practice to societal evolution has increased exponentially in recent years. As society evolves in its understanding of the complex relationships between mankind and society, we rely more and more on the services of forensic experts. This article elucidates the professions of forensic psychiatry and forensic psychology. We examine the two distinct professions from the spectrum of collaboration, integration of services, differences, and similarities. We also compare and contrast the educational background and training requirements for these two professions; and present illustrative scenarios and real life examples of the daily functions of both professionals. Lastly, we present demographic data for the areas of employment, numbers, and geographic distribution of the two professions. Forensic psychiatry is the interface between medicine and law, while forensic psychology is the interface between psychology and law. As such, these professions are mired with complexities and challenged by vulnerabilities. Professionals from both fields can serve as expert witnesses in court and therefore face similar challenges in their course of professional practice. Collaboration between these two professions has the potential to increase both the credibility and utility of forensic services to the courts, the individuals served, and the general public.
ABSTRACT
In this article, the authors emphasize the value of proper understanding of the nature of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in order to reach the right diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and signs. The authors review the literature and provide information regarding epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis, and features of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures as they compare to epileptic seizures. The authors make suggestions for treatment and provide a clinical diagnostic tool that can aid clinicians in identifying a psychogenic nonepileptic seizure episode.
