Rorschach patterns of response in Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder versus combat and normal controls

To further evaluate Rorschach indicators of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), test protocols of 16 combat veterans so diagnosed were compared with those of 9 combat controls and 12 noncombat subjects. Results replicated Rorschach abnormalities previously associated with this disorder, including signs of low stress tolerance, poor affect modulation, perceptual distortion, and interpersonal disengagement. However, only two indicators, EB (Erlebnistypus) and CC (combat-related content), differentiated PTSD subjects from controls (P < .05). Examination of negative findings revealed that all three groups similarly deviated from Exner nonpatient norms (Exner, 1993: The Rorschach, Vol 1. New York: John Wiley and Sons) on many Rorschach variables. Possible explanations for these findings are considered, and the need for control subjects in Rorschach investigation is underscored.