Forensic psychiatry—friend of the court

A manic-depressive patient wants to sell property, but his lawyers think a manipulative buyer is involved and are concerned that the client's periodic wide mood swings may be affecting his judgment, thus rendering him "not of sound mind" to sell title to his land. The attorneys go to court on his behalf.

A forensic psychiatrist is asked to consult, and in his final report to the court he shows charts of the cycles of the patient's manic and depressive episodes. The charts of cycles for the past several years seem to support the psychiatrist's interview findings, and the court is convinced: The patient presently seems mentally balanced enough to be cognizant of the various factors connected with such a real estate transaction.

A woman seeks compensatory damages from a company owning a highrise building because she allegedly has suffered a prolonged "traumatic neurosis" since watching a window washer fall nine