Usage of selected graphic projection techniques in the diagnosis of mental disorders

Abstract

The aim of the publication is to present selected projective methods and their usefulness in diagnosis of mental disorders. The drawing technics are very popular since many years and they constitute important element of psychological diagnostic workshop. This publication is focused on the drawing technics as: Human Figure Drawing Test, Family Drawing Test. The indicators of psychopathological features appearing in the drawings of mentally ill persons are pointed. The usefulness of the drawings is stressed in the process of understanding of the patient. The drawings are indispensable in the process of psychotherapy. Less popular but very valuable diagnostic material is psychological analysis of handwritings. The impact of mental disorders on the handwriting was very much of interest of psychologists since long time. The mostly it was from diagnostic perspective. The research on the handwriting of mentally ill persons shows that the certain symptoms of mental disorders are manifested in the handwriting by the modification of the graphic signs. The presented methods should be interpreted as additional and should be used with adequate caution. Making the psychological interpretation on the basis of graphic projective methods is still controversial and must be used with very good clinical experience.