Differential diagnosis of premorbid and posttraumatic personality changes in patients with spinal cord injury: an interdisciplinary approach

In modern rehabilitation, the position that the psychological status of a patient after spinal cord injury (SCI) and other neurological disorders is not just a concomitant factor, but a critical modulator of neuroplasticity, motor learning and functional outcome, is increasingly recognized. Inaccurate or delayed diagnosis of affective, cognitive, and somatoform disorders leads to the formation of a "recovery plateau," which can be mistakenly interpreted as the depletion of neurobiological reserves. This article highlights the importance of a professional, instrumental, and multidimensional assessment of psychological status at all stages of rehabilitation, as well as the role of the clinical psychologist as a key member of the rehabilitation and neurorehabilitation team.