Commentary: The Lucid Interval-Coping with Unscientific Terminology

Abstract

The authors agree with Shulman et al. in their assertion that the term "lucid interval" does not describe what is now known to occur in the fluctuating mental status of some demented individuals. Therefore, its use by the courts to determine competency in such persons can result in an unjust outcome. However, we believe such criticism as Shulman and his coauthors levied at the legal profession should be broadened to consider antiquated and nonscientific terminology in our own field of psychiatry.