38 A practical guide to the Istanbul Protocol – for psychologists PART E INTERPRETATION OF THE FINDINGS – CLINICAL IMPRESSION I. HOW TO INTERPRET THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FINDINGS AND FORMULATE A CLINICAL IMPRESSION For the documentation of psychological evidence of torture, in establishing a clinical picture, there are important questions to be asked: i. “Are the psychological findings consistent with the alleged report of torture? ii. Are the psychological findings expected or typical reactions to extreme stress within the cultural and social context of the individual? iii. Given the fluctuating course of trauma-related mental disorders over time, what is the time frame in relation to the torture events? Where is the individual in the course of recovery? iv. What are the coexisting stressors impinging on the individual (e.g. ongoing persecution, forced migration, exile, loss of family and social role)? What impact do these issues have on the individual? v. Which physical conditions contribute to the clinical picture? Pay special attention to head injury sustained during torture or detention; vi. Does the clinical picture suggest a false allegation of torture?” (Istanbul Protocol, § 287).