[Is minimal brain dysfunction really only an empty phrase? A scientific theoretical problem].

Abstract

The book Die minimale cerebrale Dysfunction-Eine Eine Leerformel (Minimal Cerebral Dysfunction-An Empty Phrase) by Esser and Schmidt is critically reviewed, with reference being made to numerous clinical studies that have confirmed the existence of the syndrome minimal cerebral dysfunction (also called frühkindlich exogenes Psychosyndrom in German). The reviewer's fundamental objection is to the "exact-science" methods used in the study: Such methods are inappropriate for confirming or disproving the existence of a psychosyndrome that has grown out of clinical experience. The reduction in the number of items that is dictated by an exact-science approach is diametrically opposed to the overall assessment of the psychopathological picture common in clinical practice. In many areas of psychology and psychiatry, restricting oneself to a study of only those factors that can be counted or measured also places limitations on the amount of information that can be gained.