Comparison of premorbid and postinjury MMPI-2 profiles in late postconcussion claimants

A comparison of premorbid and postinjury MMPI-2 profiles was performed in 23 patients with mild cranial/ cervical injuries. All claimants attributed major personality change to their injuries during the course of compensation-related neuropsychological examinations. Their premorbid MMPI-2 profiles were all abnormal and the modal code-type indicated somatoform psychopathology. The post-accident MMPI profiles showed continuous somatization trends, but they unexpectedly showed (a) increased defensiveness and (b) a general decrease in global psychopathology. The findings did not support an 'eggshell plaintiff' theory of chronic postconcussive complaints. The view that chronic postconcussive complaints require a wider focus on non-neuropsychological factors is enhanced.