Recognizing and Managing “Magic Wand Syndrome” among Clinical Services

Psychiatry consultation-liaison (C-L) services are occasionally asked to provide an immediate solution to a chronic psychiatric illness or to help stop a persistent pattern of maladaptive behaviors in hospitalized inpatients. When the recommendations by a C-L service falls short of the expectations of consultees, a disruptive dynamic can arise between the two services.1 Our C-L service has colloquially termed this phenomenon “magic wand syndrome” given the inability to wish away problematic issues that can be exhibited by patients.

Source: Psychosomatics - November 1, 2018 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Dan H. Nguyen, Thida M. Thant Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research