Basic Principles

Integrating test and interview data is always a difficult thing to do, as you are integrating disparate kinds of information, neither of which is perfect. However, even after this, other issues come into play. Meehl (1954) argued for an actuarial approach to our field, using statistics and later computer-based models to predict and describe people. Clinical judgment, interviewing technique, and intuition were worthless and unreliable he thought.

  • some see his approach as a cold, the-client-is-just-a-number approach, and see individualistic interpretations for each client as warmer, as more meaningful, and as more useful to understanding the individual
  • some see his approach as a scientific approach to strengthen our prediction and treatment, as opposed to an idiosyncratic
  • what-I-see-in-the-tea-leaves (or Rorschach, same thing) approach as one with no reliability or validity
  • both have some valid points

On the one hand, not all issues can be placed into a prediction model, and aggregating across clients to find the "average" client may not help you understand what the specific client in front of you is like. On the other hand, we have biases in our thinking at times we don't even realize, and "common sense" is fickle when it comes to dealing with complex psychological issues.

Plus, there are a lot of crackpots out there, and if we want to be any better than Ms. Cleo, we have to be scientific ("I sense you're facing some financial difficulties." "Oh my god! How did you know?" "Because you're calling a 900 number sweety, you can't be that good with money…")

A basic model would be as follows:

  • Hypothesis generation - much like the first stage of brain storming, you generate any hypothesis that seems possible from the data. In this stage, beware of:
    • signs and omens - "a mean and scary monster" on Card IV does not mean the client's father was mean and scary. It might mean the client now needs to see the father as mean and scary. Don't read in too much about the past.
    • confirmatory search strategies - this is what happens when you form a quick impression or hypothesis, and then search for data that confirms your hypothesis, while ignoring data that contradicts it.
    • availability bias - the most recent case you saw, or topic area with which you are most familiar, can lead you to see the same issues more easily or more quickly even when they are not present ("recency effect" and "if all you have is a hammer…")
    • hindsight bias - this occurs when you look back and think events as you know they have happened should have been predicted ("Monday morning quarterbacking")
  • hypothesis testing - you look to the data and see which hypothesis receive support, and how much they receive, as well as contradiction, and how much they receive
  • integration - given what you think is true, what can you conclude, as well as infer is very likely

Following are special points to attend to when you suspect a personality disorder.

Antisocial Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • predatory attitude, taking advantage of others, slick style of getting what they want
    • externalization of blame and creative rationalization ("The problems is these drug drops keep coming back positive") and being a poor loser when they fail
    • irresponsibility (changes in job, abandoning debts and obligations to support family)
    • excitement seeking (taking risks, sexual promiscuity, substance use, "running wild")
    • authority problems, arrests, fights
    • belief in the lack of consequences or blame, sense of entitlement
    • callous or cold, irritable or angry, flat and unconcerned, or glib and shallow; being sensitive is being "soft" and "weak"
    • history of trauma and empathic shutdown
    • difficult temperament (hard to soothe, irregular sleep and eating patterns, fearlessness)
    • views the world as a "dog eat dog" kind of place, "screw or be screwed," "do unto others before they do unto you"
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on the ASP scale, or a 4-9 codetype; because paranoia and illogical thinking or alienation are also possible, a 4-6 and 4-8 codetype are also possible; elevations on Pd2 and Ma2 are common
    • Rorschach shows fewer responses, more rejections due to more irritation with the task itself, often more Pure C, more Animal content and FM responses as opposed to Human content and M responses, more Populars, and lower W, SumSh, and F+%
    • TAT shows more juvenile stories where heroes engage in negative acts, and either get away with it, or get caught without any punishment
    • PAI shows elevated ANT with frequent spikes on DRG and ALC, and AGG (especially Physical), DOM > WRM
    • NEO PI R shows Low N-Anxiety, and N-Self-Consciousness, Average E and O, Low A, and Low C, especially C-Dutifulness, C-Self-Discipline, and C-Deliberation
    • Therapy tends to focus on sublimation, and family therapy is only helpful so long as it is an effort to "gang up" on the client to gain compliance. After 35 though, ASP tend to settle down

Avoidant Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • believes others are out to hurt and humiliate them; tests them for loyalty, sincerity, and honesty
    • anxious or hypervigilant instead of angry or paranoid about this
    • strong desires for support, love, approval, affection and on a constant basis
    • reads in rejection, reasons to expect not worthy of love
    • socially uncomfortable and timid or shy, withdraws to avoid hurt
    • devalues accomplishments, shows low self-esteem or expectations of future success
    • hyper-irritable as a child
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows 2-7 codetype, with elevations on 0 and depressions on 9 common too, some higher 8 is possible due to alienation and distorted thinking
    • Rorschach shows p>a, more Populars, and more AG special scores
    • TAT shows stories of people embarrassed, humiliated, and hurt
    • NEO PI R shows High N, Low E, average O, A, and C
    • PAI shows ARD is generally higher, with WRM, DOM, and Ant-Stimulus Seeking all low

Borderline Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • unstable emotions ("emotional hemophiliacs"), perhaps in the interview
    • instability in relationships, living situations, work, meeting responsibilities; they can't set goals and keep to them, and can't decide on political, vocational, or other key beliefs
    • impulsive actions with little forethought for or recognition of the consequences, including sex, substance use, spending, gambling, dating…
    • rigid thinking, poor abstraction, limited learning from experience
    • dependence and high neediness, seen in merged relationships
    • rejection and denigration, seen in abandoned and rejected relationships
    • signs of rage, emptiness, fragmentation anxiety, panic and frantic abandonment
    • suicidal gestures and self-mutilation
    • difficulty soothing distress; may have been hyper-irritable infant
    • self-defeating behaviors, which then "prove" their ineptitude and badness
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows the Borderline Cheer - 2468 - with elevations on 0 and K common, and often depressions on F; Ma2 and Sc5 elevations are possible too
    • Rorschach shows more Fabcoms and DVs, sometimes DEPI+ with CDI+, and sometimes more Pure C and M-, and maybe PHR
    • TAT shows stories with panicked people who show sudden, impulsive actions; splitting; extreme superegos, with harsh punishments for minor infractions, then magical forgiveness; introjection/projection confusion, including themes of people who can read minds, two people that are identical in every way; fragmentation and disorder, with no self-reflection or recognition of the craziness they explain; primitive content, like ghosts and witches
    • PAI shows BORD, DEP (especially the Cognitive subscale), ARD, along with SUI, STR, and SOM elevations
    • NEO PI R typically has High N, high E, average O, low A-Straightforwardness

Dependent Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • pacifist, tries to avoid conflict and "be nice" all the time
    • allows others to assume decision-making power and responsibility for their lives, and sometime allows things to decompensate and lives with "the insanity" until caretaker is available rather than make a decision themselves
    • tolerates abusive or exploitive friends, "the smell of burning martyr"
    • overly loyal and devoted, too quick to trust, gullible
    • self-sacrificing, non-assertive, assumes blame for problems
    • parental messages of "You can't do that; let me help you"
    • low or under-aroused temperament
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows 2-7 codetype, with elevations on L, K, and 3 common; 4 and 9 are typically low (pleasing others, little confrontation of authority, low energy and impulsivity), and scale 5 shows adherence to traditional stereotypes
    • Rorschach shows high number of responses if you have good rapport, higher A and Fd content, P, and T, with CF>FC, sometimes many COP and fewer if any AG, a<p possible too
    • TAT shows themes of waiting for salvation, heroes rescuing helpless people, and high compliance
    • PAI generally shows WRM is elevated and greater than DOM due to efforts to maintain supports and avoid conflict and power, BOR-I (Identity) is often elevated (>70) due to problems determining goals and aspirations for the self, AGG-V (Verbal) and MAN-G (Grandiosity) are generally low
    • NEO PI R is likely to have High N and A, low E3 (Assertiveness) and C4 (Achievement Striving)

Histrionic Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • attention seeking through dress, flirtatiousness, gregarious and entertaining
    • over-reacts with dramatic flair, impressionistic information processing, psychobabble, and unscientific acceptance of theories
    • warm and affectionate, charming, but also shallow and insincere too, can abandon loyalties
    • parental pattern of giving love only when "earned" by compliance with expectations
    • impetuous, wild nights, substance use, life of party over and over
    • absence of political or thoughtful conviction, endorses whatever is popular then and dismisses inconsistencies in thinking
    • able to "adapt" to others to meet their needs
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows 2-3 codetype, possibly with elevations on 4, 7, and 8; scale 5 shows adherence to traditional stereotypes; Ma4 elevations are possible; women may show Sc4 elevations
    • Rorschach shows lower W, M, Pure C, SumSh, and R, but more T, Fd content, and PER scores
    • TAT shows personalized stories, dependent themes but some impulsive ones too, some "dramatic flair" to recounting too
    • PAI shows WRM is elevated to entice others, SOM-S (Conversion) is elevated due to conversion of emotional to physical distress, ANT-E (Egocentricity) due to self-centered nature, BOR-A (Affect Instability) (>70) due to mood changes, and PIM is often elevated due to denial of problems

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • self-centeredness, able to rationalize and deny as needed to justify anything for themselves; at best they "take liberties" with the facts and at worst they distort and deny as needed to justify their actions
    • constant need for praise and attention
    • grandiose, over-values skills and accomplishments, overestimates abilities and underestimates demands, acts superior; entitled to "the good things in life" without working for them or earning their way
    • point out spelling or grammatical errors in your paperwork; very insulted when their own mistakes are pointed out
    • history of erratic relationships, little patience for others' faults, little give-and-take in relationships as it's most give by others and take by the NAR
    • lack of empathy, sees others as ways to gratify their own needs (what have you done for me lately )
    • nonchalant when faced with consequences of their actions to others
    • angry to enraged with criticism and rejection
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows 4-9 or 8-9 codetypes, with depressions on 0 and 5, and elevations on 6 possible
    • Rorschach shows high CF+C, lower SumSh but T may be elevated, and higher Egocentricity index, especially due to Reflection responses
    • TAT shows more juvenile and grandiose themes, with little empathy, and relationships that magically form and are idealized, full of admiration, and happiness…
    • PAI is likely to have MAN-G (Grandiosity) elevated due to overestimation of abilities and skills, ANT-E (Egocentricity) elevated due to self-centered nature, DOM elevated due to efforts to control others, and WRM typically average
    • NEO PI R shows High N low A, and maybe high C1 (Competence) and C4 (Achievement Striving)

Normal Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • lacks sufficiently interesting personal problems to keep the attention of psychologists
    • able to love, work, and play, and show some mastery in some area after setting and sticking to goals
    • good self-esteem, with recognition of faults worked into this
    • able to control impulses but relax control too, able to sublimate
    • sense of humor
    • able to adapt to changes
    • able to see the implications of an action on others, or what it would be like if everyone acted so, can act simply to give happiness to others
    • realistic perceptions, deals with difficult and stressful as well as easy and fun
    • balance of independence and dependence
    • able to learn from experience to grow
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows absence of serious pathology in scales, but some minor subscales may be elevated
    • Rorschach shows normal EA, DScores of 0, and P and X+% in the normal range
    • TAT shows good form and object relations

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • high regulated and organized lifestyle and work; may seem to be a workaholic
    • joyless affect or highly controlled emotional world; rule based behavior
    • fears mistakes, and may not be able to make a decision for fear of making a poor one
    • may relaxing from responsibilities in some way
    • rumination, over-thinking a decision, and double checking, leading to extended time requirements to accomplish even simple tasks
    • stress of form over content, misses "forest for the trees"
    • detail orientation and fault-finding in others that supports their better skills or knowledge, but is annoying and overly picky
    • moralistic and perfectionistic, concerned with "proving" superiority over others
    • "mustabatory" fantasies or tyranny of shoulds
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on K, 1, 3, 7, and 9, should show OBS elevations; men may show Sc4 elevations; Sc2 elevations are common too
    • Rorschach shows more D+, Dd and F+%, lower W, WSumC, and Lambda, Zd is positive and high, and they may criticize or demean the blots and test
    • TAT shows long, lengthy, and detailed stories, sometimes losing the theme in all the detail

Paranoid Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • overly cautious, distrustful, suspicious, sees conspiracy and collaboration frequently
    • vigilant for signs of rejection, humiliation, exposure of vulnerabilities from others
    • blaming, critical, and fault finding in others with little recognition of normal faults (projection onto others of self-faults)
    • guarded, rigid, deflects criticism, oppositional, "chip on the shoulder"
    • confirmatory screening of information, ignores facts that would contradict their views; can't see a new idea
    • thinks of self as rational and objective; but looks edgy, bitter, and overly sensitive at times
    • can be socially smooth at first to deflect deeper or more intrusive evaluation
    • comes across as chronically tense and hypervigilant; may have been hypersensitive as a child
    • the world is a dangerous place where others take advantage of you if you are foolish enough to let them; just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they aren't following you
  • Data
    • MMPI2 shows elevation on 6, but depressed 6 is possible too, sometimes elevations on 1 and 3, as well as L and K are possible, 6-8 is common too with a 4 spike possible
    • Rorschach shows increased P, A content, and D locations, with lower WSumC, and sometimes denigrating comments about the test
    • TAT shows suspiciousness in stories, underlying motives of people that only become apparent at the end of the story to the characters, and people who can't be trusted; high attention to unusual details in pictures (e.g., second farmer in background of Card 2) is also common, as well as interpretation based on analysis of facial expressions and minor details (e.g., "He's looking this way so it must be…" or "She's not making eye contact so she must be the one who lied…")
    • PAI shows PAR should be elevated, often with PAR-R (Resentment) and PAR-H (Hypervigilance) being higher than PAR-P (Persecution); AGG-A (Aggressive Activity) elevated and WRM is generally low

Passive Aggressive Personality Disorder

  • Interview
    • at times complies and is submissive, highly solicitous of praise and approval
    • later oppositional and angry over following up on previously accepted responsibilities and obligations
    • Sometimes can't make a decision, seems oppositional or uncooperative but denies this
    • desire to work for approval followed by anger at having to work for approval; desire to retaliate confused by fears of retribution
    • mixed signals (Go away, don't leave me; Help me, I don't need you to do it for me); may have been a difficult infant
    • underhanded or passive-aggressive communication of anger, coupled with verbal denial ("I'm sorry you took it that way" "I'm surprised you did so well at this" "I knew someone could count on you"); "accidentally" is late, forgets, or makes mistakes
  • Data
    • MMPI2 often shows 3-4 codetype, with occasional spikes on K and 6, alternately a 1-9 codetype is possible
    • Rorschach shows more FC than CF, and elevations on S, T, and P, AG with passive movements are also possible
    • TAT shows negativistic and avoidant themes

Schizotypal and Schizoid

  • Interview
    • socially aloof or cold fish, shows no real desire for social contact and connections, no desire to date, although Schizotypals can have very superficial relationships
    • intellectualizations, circuitousness in thinking, strained reasoning, especially in Schizotypals, but perhaps more attention and distraction issues with Schizoids
    • emotionally and facially reacts to "private dialogue" without including person in the room with them
    • limited social skills, flat and blunted affect, low energy
    • Schizoids show slow and monotonous speech, while Schizotypals show more eccentric or peculiar speech
    • Schizoids see the world a difficult and risky, and avoid contact to avoid pain, while Schizotypals see the world as strange and magical, warranting cautious curiosity
  • Data
    • MMPI2 for Schizoids may be normal, elevations on 1 or 2 and 8 if somatic or depressive delusions are present; Schizotypals show 278 codetype; both often show elevations on F and 0 too
    • Rorschach shows high A and lower H content, especially pure H content, and lower WSumC
    • TAT shows constricted stories with no clear themes for Schizoids, and more Borderline-like stories with Schizotypals
    • PAI shows, for both, SCZ-S (Social Detachment) is elevated while WRM and SCZ-P (Psychotic Experiences) are generally low. For Schizoid, BOR-A (Affect Instability) is low, as are ANX and DEP too. For Schizotypal, PAR-P (Persecution), ARD-P (Phobic), SCZ-T (Thought Disorder) may all be elevated.

Other Areas/Disorders to Assess

  • Acting Out
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 4, 9, ASP, and substance abuse scales. Harris Lingoes elevations are Pd2 (authority problems), Pd4 (social alienation), Sc5 (defective inhibition), and Ma2 (psychomotor acceleration). Depression on OH (overcontrolled hostility) is likely too.
    • Rorschach shows DScore < 0, elevated Lambda, and CF+C>FC. CDI, S and S-%, and AG can be elevated, while X+% and P are lower. Extratensive style is more likely.
    • PAI shows, for an adjustment disorder, STR is the highest scale STR, along with ANT-A (Antisocial Behavior) and AGG-P (Physical Aggression) elevations for the Disturbed Conduct qualifier
  • Anger
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 4, 6, ANG and sometimes Type A. Hy5 (inhibition of aggression) may be low, and Sc5 (defective inhibition) high. Other scales like OH may also be elevated.
    • Rorschach may show more AG responses, and S>2.
    • PAI, for Intermittent Explosive Disorder, has an AGG with a V pattern, with AGG-A (Aggressive Activity) high, AGG-V (Verbal) low, and AGG-P (Physical) high due to outbursts; DEP - C (Cognitive) is also possible
  • Anxiety
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 7, ANX, FRS, and the PTSD scales PK and PS
    • Rorschach shows DScore < 0, and Y>2 and m>2. The es is often greater than 10, sometimes with Y being greater than FM+m.
    • PAI shows, for an adjustment disorder, STR is the highest scale STR, along with ANX-A (Affect) and ANX-C (Cognitive) elevations for the Anxious Mood qualifier
  • Dependence/Passivity
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 3, depressions on 4, and nontraditional sex roles on 5. LSE may also be elevated, along with Harris Lingoes Si3 (self/other alienation) and Hy3 (need for affection). Depression may be seen on Ma4 (ego inflation), Pd3 (social imperturbability), Pd4 (authority problems), and Do (Dominance).
    • Rorschach shows p>a+1, Mp > Ma, Food > 0, Texture > 1, and Populars > 8.
  • Depression/Distress/Guilt
    • MMPI2 shows elevated 2 and DEP, low 9, and sometimes spikes on Hy3 (lassitude-malaise), Sc2 (emotional alienation), and Sc4 (lack of ego mastery) in addition to the D Harris Lingoes scales. When guilty feelings are present, 7 may be up, along with Pd5 (self-alienation) elevations and Ma4 (ego inflation) depressions.
    • Rorschach shows DEPI and/or CDI elevations, as well as C', Color-Shading Blends, V or FD, and MOR elevations. The es is often greater than 10, and DScore <0. WSumC may be < 6 from limited emotional energy.
    • PAI shows, for an adjustment disorder, STR is the highest scale STR, along with DEP-A (Affect) and DEP-C (Cognitive) elevations for the Depressed Mood qualifier
  • Low Self Esteem
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 2, 7, 0, as well as LSE. Harris Lingoes elevation on D1 (subjective depression), Pd5 (self-alienation), as well as Si1 (shyness/self-consciousness) and Si3 (self/other alienation) are common as well.
    • Rorschach shows low Egocentricity, and elevations on Vista, FD, and MOR.
    • PAI estimates of Self-Esteem and Self-Concept are based on MAN-G (Grandiosity), BOR-I (Identity problems), and DEP-C (Cognitive) as a way to view overly positive, overly unstable, and overly pessimistic views of the self
  • Narcissism
    • MMPI2 shows high 4 or 9. Harris Lingoes elevations on Ma4 (ego inflation) and Pd3 (social imperturbability) are common, with depression on LSE.
    • Rorschach shows elevated Egocentricity, especially if Reflections are elevated.
    • PAI would show some of the same elevations seen for Narcissistic PD, but they would not be as extreme
  • Paranoid Ideation
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 6 and BIZ. Pd4 (social alienation) and Sc1 (social alienation) may also be elevated, in addition to Pa Harris Lingoes scales.
    • Rorschach shows elevations on HVI, S, and AG, generally with no Texture responses. Human contents > 6, Cg > 3, X+% is low, and X-% elevated and higher than Xu%. SumC < 5, Dd > 2, and M- responses are also possible.
  • Psychotic Disorders
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on F, 6, 8, 9 and BIZ. Sc Harris Lingoes may also be elevated but generally not without an 8 elevation.
    • Rorschach shows SCZI or PTI elevations, X-% elevated and higher than Xu%, and Sum6 > 6 or Wsum6 > 17. M- responses are also possible.
    • TAT shows strained thinking, themes of persecution, aggression…
    • PAI, for Mania, shows elevated MAN, low DEP-C (Cognitive), high DOM and WRM (because they think they caring and effective leaders), RXR > 50 (because they do not believe they have a problem), BOR-S (Self-Harm) elevated >70, and ANT-S (Stimulation Seeking) possibly elevated due to impulsivity, lack of judgment, and lack of inhibition. PAR-P (Persecution) is often high due to resentment, but PAR-R (Resentment) is lower because it is not associated with bitterness. Of note, DEP and MAN elevations are not seen in bipolar patients
    • PAI, for Schizophrenia, shows SCZ is elevated, and PAR-P (Persecution) or SOM-C (Conversion) may be elevated depending on delusions, DOM and WRM are low, as is MAN-A (Activity Level) and sometimes BOR-A (Affect Instability) due to negative symptoms of Schizophrenia. Paranoid Subtype may show higher ANX and MAN-I (Irritability) during and soon after breaks. Disorganized Subtype often have a SCZ-P (Psychotic Experience) lower than SCZ-T (Thought Disorder) and SCZ-S (Social Detachment). Residual Subtype may or may not show SCZ-S (Social Detachment) elevation, but it is definitely greater than SCZ-P (Psychotic Experience); DEP and ANX are normal typically. Thw Undifferentiated Subtype often shows SCZ-S (Social Detachment) above 80 with WRM, DOM, and MAN-A (Activity Level) all depressed, along with BOR-A (Affect Instability). Recently psychotic clients with likely show SCZ, ANX, and DEP > 70.
  • Rebelliousness/Conflicts with Authority
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 4, with a 4-9 codetype possible. Often ASP, CYN, Ma1 (amorality) and substance abuse scales are elevated too. Even if 4 is not elevated, Pd2 (authority conflicts) may be.
    • Rorschach shows S>2, Reflections >1 and elevated Egocentricity, and PER > 2.
  • Rationalization
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 4, 6, 7, and OBS.
    • Rorschach shows Introversive style, 2AB+Art+Ay >3, and elevations on OBS, Dd, and X+% or F+%. Zd can be greater than 3.5 and positive. FC:CF+C is greater than 2:1 with Pure C=0. SumC' > WSumC.
  • Repression and Denial
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on L, K, 3, and R (repression). Harris Lingoes elevations on Hy2 (need for affection), Hy5 (inhibition of aggression), and Pa3 (naivete), with depression on Ma1 (amorality).
    • Rorschach shows elevated Lambda, WSumC, and Y, with Color Projection possible. Afr is low generally.
  • Social Discomfort/Avoidance
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 7 and 0, as well as SOD and LSE. Harris Lingoes depressions are often seen on Hy1 (denial of social anxiety), Pd3 (social imperturbability), and Ma3 (imperturbability).
    • Rorschach shows T=0, COP low, Isolation Index elevated, HVI elevated, and H < (H)+Hd+(Hd).
  • Social Alienation
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 0, and possibly 4 and 8. Harris Lingoes elevations on Sc1 (social alienation), Pd4 (social alienation), and Si2 (social avoidance) are common.
    • PAI may show low WRM and DOM, and high SCZ-S (Social Detachment) and NON (Nonsupport)
    • Social Involvement Range
      Hermit, avoids contact, no interest in relationships
      Limited, goes to appointment, visited but doesn't visit, talks on phone, solitary hobbies
      Mild, window shops, occasional church attendance, small outings or evening events, visits others, shops in a variety of stores, regular social interactions
      Moderate, gregarious and outgoing, regular church or club events, movies and concerts, votes, cultural activities
      High, attends school, plays sports, travels alone, volunteer work, plans for life and future
  • Somatization
    • MMPI2 shows elevations on 1 and 3, often with a low 2 (conversion valley). HEA can be elevated to, and Harris Lingoes elevations on D3 (physical malfunctioning), Hy3 (lassitude malaise), Hy4 (somatic complaints), and Sc6 (bizarre sensory experiences) are possible.
    • Rorschach shows elevations on An+Xy, C', and possibly Color Projection.
    • PAI shows, for an adjustment disorder, STR is the highest scale STR, along with SOM-S (Somatization), ANX-P (Physical), or DEP-P (Physical) elevations for the Unspecified qualifier