ABSTRACT
Liaison is an integral part of assessment. In the evaluation of aetiology and the making of a treatment plan in endocrine disease, equal attention must be given to psychological and social aspects as to physical, neurological and laboratory examination. The major systems of communication within the body are neural and endocrine. Inevitably endocrine and metabolic disturbances produce psychiatric and behavioural symptoms and psychological upsets impinge upon endocrine equilibrium. Puberty sharpens the adjustment problems, and even more emotional upset may occur in response to rapid hormone-induced growth. In severe hypocalcaemia, paranoid psychoses, acute organic brain syndromes, and curious states of rigidity and mutism may test the diagnostic acumen of the liaison psychiatrist. Differentiation between predominantly psychiatric and basically endocrine disorders is facilitated by modern laboratory techniques. The features of Manfred Bleuler's endocrine psycho syndrome are well displayed in panhypopituitarism, with loss of initiative and memory impairment as symptoms.
