Scores on neuroticism pathology, mood, and Rorschach and diagnosis of affective disorder.

Abstract

Patients in an affective disorders clinic diagnosed unipolar ( n = 13), bipolar ( n = 10), or schizo-affective ( n = 7) disorder were given a Maudsley Neuroticism Scale, a Rorschach, and a form interview. Mood over the course of the procedure was assessed and speech content measured. Diagnostic groups differed on background measures of social competence, schizo-affectives being poorer than bipolar and unipolar subjects. Rorschach pathognomic verbalization scores for schizo-affective and bipolar subjects were poorer than for unipolar subjects. Rorschach form definiteness for schizo-affectives was poorer than for bipolar and unipolar subjects. Neuroticism scores did not discriminate diagnostic groups but correlated with mood ratings. History of mania was associated with symbolic bizarreness, resembling schizo-affective disorder. However, the social competence and perceptual maturity of subjects with manic histories did not differ from those without.