ART OF ANNIHILATION - EARLY-ONSET SCHIZOPHRENIA AND RELATED DISORDERSOF CHILDHOOD

This paper explores three distinct forms of Pervasive Developmental Di sorder (PDD): autism, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disord er. Using the art therapy process and art productions, I have charted each disorder on the developmental spectrum by examining the quality o f object relations of four children. Examining the form and content of their art, I found pervasive examples of annihilation concerns, promp ting therapeutic interventions that addressed the overwhelming disturb ed affects and ideation that accompany such mental illness.