In the second of three articles on malingered psychosis, Sarah Higginson considers the research currently available on the subject and introduces a case study to be considered in the final article

The first article in this series provided the reader with a definition of malingering and examined the possible motivations for this type of behaviour with particular reference to malingered psychosis, or the feigning of symptoms associated with mental illness. This article will continue the theme by reviewing the research currently available regarding the prevalence of malingered psychosis and assessment tools currently being used to indicate this behaviour. It will then describe the methodology used in an individual case study of a man thought to be exhibiting malingered psychosis behaviours, highlighting the ethical dilemmas surrounding this type of work. This case study will be described and examined in detail in the final article of this series.