How to Detect Feigned Anxiety & Depression

Feigned depression or anxiety occurs when a person deliberately pretends to be severely depressed or anxious, or when a person makes herself believe that she is depressed or anxious when really she is not. This could occur when a solider is released from the military and is trying to receive revenue for post-traumatic depression or anxiety, when a person wants to give up and receive medication, hospitalization or just attention, or when a person ignores the true reason or cause behind his sadness or anxiety. In order to help detect a true disorder, or feigning of a disorder, numerous tests are available from a psychiatric specialist.

Things You'll Need

• Computer or library
• Psychiatric specialist
• Testing

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Instructions

• 1

  Research on a computer or in books to find more information on the tests that are available for detecting feigned depression and anxiety. This will give you insight before visiting the doctor.

• 2

  Visit a psychiatric specialist to discuss the symptoms that the person is experiencing, to see if he is possibly suffering from depression or anxiety. Discuss the test options available and decide which is best for this case.

• 3

  Have the person's speech analyzed using computerized speech content analysis software. According to SpringerLink.com, those who feign depression or anxiety were able to freely speak in response to a neutral stimulus.

• 4

  Have the person analyzed using the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), which is popular feigning detection method. This test is similar to exams taken in school, which study a person's comprehension in different areas.

• 5

  Have the person examined with the Assessment of Depression Inventory (ADI), which has shown positive results when testing for feigned depression but not anxiety.

• 6

  Have the person take a Symptom Validity Test (SVT), which is a written test that is given alongside a polygraph test. Because polygraph test results can be wrong, the SVT independently measures rationale different from the polygraph. Feigning individuals show a random pattern to their answers.