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Ganser syndrome

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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This condition was first described in prisoners by Ganser (1898).

It is characterized by four features.

  • "approximate" answers to questions - answers which are plainly wrong, but suggest that the answer is known
  • psychogenic physical symptoms
  • hallucinations - often elaborate and visual
  • apparent clouding of consciousness

The condition is maintained so consistently that it is thought to be due to unconscious mental mechanisms.

There is often a preceding head injury.

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