Gimme a break
A University of Evansville professor has developed a survey that he says can determine the mental health of the respondent in a scant three minutes. From IndyStar.com:
Shortly after the patient completes the questionnaire, the therapist receives a mental-health profile. This includes alerts on whether the patient is suicidal, depressed, anxious or a danger to others. It also provides information on whether psychotherapy might help the patient grapple with his or her issues.In addition, the profiles are color-coded, with red connoting a special alert and yellow signifying that the patient is at risk.
Hey, Homeland Security, are you listening?
The good doctor also says, "It is like a blood test. The therapist sees it first and then would sit down with the patient and discuss the implications of it."
Somehow I don't think those who want scientific proof of mental illness will be convinced by such a "blood test."
Comments
Absurd.
The one and only silver lining to a story like this is at least having this described as a "test" and a quasi-medical type of thing puts it in the realm of real illness. But overall, it just seems nuts.
Posted by: Drew | October 31, 2006 12:15 PM
I have always preferred the more exacting and double blind proven method of guaging a patient's choices in a vigorous game of "rock, paper, scissors". Rock choosers are well rounded, paper pickers are flat in personality and scissors attract people who are sharp dressers. Or maybe not.
Posted by: HS | October 31, 2006 12:23 PM