title: Consistency of behavior: expect the unexpected.
abstract: Clinicians and lay people mistakenly expect behavior to be consistent across time and situations. However, the presence of a psychological disorder can cause large and seemingly inexplicable fluctuations in patient behavior. These fluctuations intrinsically are aversive, and increase the burden on family members. This article outlines the clinical implications of inconsistency in patient behavior. A practical set of guidelines for the mental health worked is issued.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shafran
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Thordarson
mesh_terms: D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment