What Is Impaired Insight

Impaired insight can be broadly defined as – Diminished ability to understand the “OBJECTIVE” reality of situation of self (body/mind).

What does it mean to have low insight?

A person with very poor recognition or acknowledgment is referred to as having “poor insight” or “lack of insight”. The most extreme form is anosognosia, the total absence of insight into one’s own mental illness. Many mental illnesses are associated with varying levels of insight.

How do you assess for insight?

Insight can be assessed in the course of a typical evaluation or follow-up interview with augmentation by questions borrowed from any of the validated insight rating scales. The following case vignettes draw attention to the symptoms and signs of illness.