The Rorschach and Trauma – An Update

Abstract

Abstract. Early research on trauma employing the Rorschach found it to be an ideal instrument, with its red, black, gray, and vibrant colors, to elicit trauma content. Two patterns of Rorschach responses emerged: the constricted pattern, where the evaluee kept to a form-based, avoidant approach to the blot, as if defending against the memories of the trauma, and a flooded pattern, where morbid and aggressive images paralleled that of psychosis. The Rorschach as an instrument continues to demonstrate high sensitivity to the experience of trauma, and research since 2005 has added complexity and additional validation for the use of the Rorschach in the evaluation of the effects of trauma.

An Analysis of Intrusive Morbid Imagery in Rorschach Responses

“…In the Rorschach responses, the verbal expressions of helplessness were often followed by a symbolic formlessness of the perceived objects such as “liquid” or “exploding volcano.” Such formlessness of the perceived objects seemed to indicate the participants’ inability to contain intrusive thoughts and images, leading to emotional breakdowns. The identification of the coexistence of defensive suppression and subsequent breakdowns confirmed Hypothesis 2 and the previous findings (Brett & Ostroff, 1985; Kaser-Boyd, 2021; Van der Kolk, 1987; Viglione et al, 2012).…”

“…Along with recurrent trauma-related images in the protocols, a number of studies have reported a consistent pattern in the Rorschach records of traumatized patients. A biphasic pattern (e.g., Kaser-Boyd, 2021; Van der Kolk & Ducey, 1989) or a contrasting presentation in terms of “an appreciation of the struggle between loss of control and over-control” on the Rorschach responses of PTSD patients (e.g., Brett & Ostroff, 1985; Viglione et al, 2012) has been identified. The coexistence of a constricted pattern and a flooded pattern can be understood as uncontrollable repetitions of “the trauma in images, affective and somatic states and action” on the one hand, and defensive attempts to “deny the trauma, including psychogenic amnesia, emotional numbing, and suppressive and avoidant behavior” on the other (Brett & Ostroff, 1985; as cited in Viglione et al, 2012, p. 136).…”

“…However, such defensive efforts are frequently followed by significant cognitive disturbances as unsuccessful attempts to suppress intrusive imagery evidenced by poor form quality (e.g., elevated X−%) or idiosyncratic or disturbed thinking processes and verbalization (e.g., high WSum6; see also Armstrong, 2002; Holaday, 2000; Wood et al, 2000). The flooded pattern can be identified by excessive traumatic content along with several structural features, such as significant disturbances in affect or elevated X−%, which can often be mistaken as psychotic (Kaser-Boyd, 2021).…”

A Commentary on “The Rorschach and Trauma” (Kaser-Boyd, 2021)

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Is the Rorschach Test a valid and useful instrument in assessing for traumatization? Variable by variable, Dr. Kaser-Boyd (2021) has done an impressive job of combing through and collating the relevant research literature to provide us with ample empirical findings to answer this question in the affirmative. And yet, there is a poignant irony entailed in the very asking of this question, let alone in painstakingly responding to it by consulting the fairly extensive studies on the topic.

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“…Is the Rorschach Test a valid and useful instrument in assessing for traumatization? Variable by variable, Dr. Kaser-Boyd (2021) has done an impressive job of combing through and collating the relevant research literature to provide us with ample empirical findings to answer this question in the affirmative.…”