A case study from the department of defense psychopharmacology demonstration project: Mania ind neurosyphilis

Postdoctoral training in clinical psychopharmacology for psychologists may include physical examination and laboratory assessment procedures, and differential medical diagnosis, as included in the Department of Defense Psychopharmacology Demonstration Project (PDP). This article, written by a PDP fellow and an attending psychiatrist, describes a case in which an apparently psychological condition (mania) was determined to result from an underlying physical condition (neurosyphilis). This : case underscores the importance of appropriate laboratory screening, highlights the significance of several components of such postdoctoral;training, and illustrates the unique ability of psychologists with specialized training to provide comprehensive care for patients with very complex needs.