Variation in cognitive functioning in nonorganic psychiatric disorders.

Level of cognitive function is usually conceptualized as a feature of organic psychiatric disorders. Classically, its assessment is part of the mental status examination. Standardized tests, such as the Folstein battery, are used to screen for organic disorders by measuring level and possible impairment of cognitive function through the stipulation of cutoff points. However, contemporary definitions of psychiatric disorders do not embrace such a categorical view of cognitive function. It is important to measure the level of cognitive function in all types of psychiatric disorders in relation to demographic characteristics. Consequently, it is better to view cognitive function as a continuous variable. The Cognitive Function Inventory (CFI), which can also yield a Folstein score, was used to assess cognition in patients diagnosed as having nonorganic psychiatric disorders. A number of different parameters of cognitive function are examined. Differences associated with demographic background and type of disorder are reported. The implications of these results are discussed.