A contribution to personality assessment of anorexia with Rorschach Test

Although anorexia nervosa is a diffuse eating disorder in occidental countries, few research contributions were addressed to personality assessment of these patients through projective methods (Ferro, 1993; Faccio, 1999; Rossi, 2000). The aim of this paper is to present the first results of a study in which the Rorschach test, scored with the Exner Comprehensive System (CS; Exner, 1986, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2001), was administered to a group of adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa. From the literature, our hypothesis was that anorexic subjects would demonstrate more difficulties in ideation, self-perception and interpersonal relationships in the Rorschach CS clusters than non-anorexic ones. Participants included 50 girls, aged 15-35 years (Mean age 22.8 yrs), with a diagnosis according to the DSM IV criteria (APA, 1994). Subjects were recruited in medical centres for eating disorders treatment. Method: The Rorschach test was administered to anorexic subjects, scored and interpreted according to Exner Comprehensive System (CS). Results were compared with the normative distribution of CS scores (Exner, 2001). Results: The results highlight a very complex picture of the personality of anorexic patients that includes many primitive aspects and weaknesses. The anorexic subjects showed a low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy that interfere in their interpersonal relationships. Therefore, anorexic patients showed a tendency to be socially isolated, to misperceive life-events and to alter their perception of body image.