Self-ratings of memory versus psychometric ratings of memory and hypochondriasis.

Self-ratings of memory were studied in 69 institutionalized women. The patients also were evaluated by means of three screening tests for organic brain syndrome (OBS) and a hypochondriasis scale. A negative correlation existed between self-rating of memory and actual memory as measured by the screening tests for OBS, but it was significant (p less than .05) for only one of the tests. There was also a negative correlation (p less than .01) between memory rating and scores on the hypochondriasis scale. Therefore, clinicians should not take patients' memory complaints as valid indicators of OBS, but as possible indicators of hypochondriasis.