DISSOCIATION AND VULNERABILITY TO PSYCHOTIC EXPERIENCE - THE DISSOCIATIVE EXPERIENCES SCALE AND THE MMPI-2

Prior research on the MMPI has cautioned against misdiagnosing schizop hrenia in patients with dissociative identity disorder. The present st udy examined the full spectrum of the dissociative experience in relat ion to MMPI-2 profiles. Ninety-eight women in treatment for trauma-rel ated disorders completed the Dissociative Experiences Scale and the MM PI-S in routine inpatient diagnostic evaluations. Consistent with prio r research, severe dissociation was associated with high elevations on MMPI-2 scales typically associated with psychotic symptoms. Contrary to hypotheses, the ostensibly most benign form of dissociation, absorp tion and imaginative involvement, was somewhat more strongly related t o MMPI-2 scores than the more pathognomonic forms of dissociation, dep ersonalization and amnesia. Although it should not be misdiagnosed, se vere impairment on the MMPI in conjunction with dissociation should be taken seriously as suggesting vulnerability to psychotic experience. The dissociative retreat from the stressors of outer reality opens the door to the inner world of traumatic images and affects, along with c ompromised reality testing and disorganized thinking.