No: 18 / THE BORDERS OF THE BORDERLINE CONCEPT: ASSESSMENT WITH THE RORSCACH TEST

  • THE BORDERS OF THE BORDERLINE CONCEPT: ASSESSMENT WITH THE RORSCACH TEST

    İrem Erdem Atak
    Summary :

    This study examines the psychic functioning of a group patients with the Rroschach Test. Different patients consulting to psychological assessment with different symptoms were clustered around some common features which come out to be the signs of borderline organization. These common features basically found to be related to really testing, thought disturbance, defense mechanisms used and object relations. The impulse control and identity diffusion are also the main themes that sound out. The dimensions necessary to be evaluated are the impulsivity, narcissistic investment and the issue of loss. These patients used a labile discourse where they were very much affected bu the test which caused an increase in the number of comments. The form quality of responses were high - a result that supported the idea of reality adaptation. In spite of this, external reality is found to be used as something to conceal the internal space. But some responses showed how this situation can easily be identified as thought disorder. Besides, the impairment of the capacity to sustain specific inner-outer boundary can pave the way to impoverished object relations with ease as it could readily be observed in the test protocols. On the other hand, the exclusive use of lower level defense mechanisms attracted attention.

    Keywords : Borderline Organization, Reality Testing, Ego Functioning, Defenses, Rorschach Test