Personality Differences on the Rorschach of Dissociative Identity Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Psychotic Inpatients

Patients with dissociative identity disorder (DID) are often diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and misdiagnosed with psychotic illnesses. This study is designed to determine Whether the Rorschach protocols of 67 patients with DID differ from those of 40 patients with BPD and 43 patients with psychotic disorder (PSD) in Variables reflecting capacity for working alliance. complexity of experience, and ability to reason despite traumatic flooding. As theoretically and clinically predicted. the DID group could be distinguished from the PSD sample by the DID group's significantly higher level of traumatic associations alongside their more logical reasoning (e.g.. Trauma Content Index ITCH, WSUM6). In comparison to the BPD group who, by definition, were also likely to dissociate and struggle with other trauma based symptoms. the DID sample showed greater social interest (Sum H), self-reflective capacity (F): Form Dimension), ability to perceive more accurately and think more logically (X-. WSUM6). The authors discuss the treatment applications of these findings and make suggestions for further research.