[Possibilities and limits of medical graphology. Determination of current status and perspectives (I)].

As is generally known, the writing movement reacts in a sensitive manner to numerous diseases, medications, stimulants and environmental poisons, as well as to psychic and physical influences. This reaction can occur quite early in the process. Therefore, laboratory data and the physical examination can be supplemented by the handwriting. The graphological analysis is particularly helpful in the following ways: early diagnosis, documenting the course of the disease, evaluating treatment, psychological relationships as well as the problems of old age. This review, presented in three parts, intends to demonstrate to the physician simple and time-saving possibilities, as well as analytical methods, that are most likely to promise success. This needs to be done by a competent graphologist.-Prejudices against graphological methods and exaggerated expectations will be reduced if proper information is presented.