title: The use of aliases by psychiatric patients.
abstract: We investigated the incidence and clinical characteristics associated with the use of aliases within a population attending a psychiatric unit over a 12-year period. The use of aliases was uncommonly recognised (0.7%). Alias users tended to be young. Many were non-nationals (43%). Identification usually occurred early in the admission and was often by self-admission (37%). A broad range of underlying diagnoses were noted with schizophrenia (31%) and factitious disorder (22%) most common. A previous psychiatric (85%) or forensic history (30%) was frequently noted. Recurrence was noted in one third of cases and was significantly associated with a diagnosis of factitious disorder.
authors.affiliation: St Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, Republic of Ireland. DMeagmer@svh.erc.ucd.ie
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Meagher
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Collins
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009275:Names; D010343:Patient Admission