PERSONALITY DYNAMICS IN TORTICOLLIS

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Abstract
Seventeen male veterans diagnosed as torticollis, conversion reation, were administered the Rorschach, Draw-a-Person, and TAT. Twenty male veterans also diagnosed as conversion reaction but with symptoms involving parts of the body other than the head and neck were similarly tested. The 2 subject groups were compared in terms of their protective test records on the following personality variables (1) Body image; (2) Neck symbolism; (3) Hostility; (4) Fantasies of guilt and shame; (5) Looking fantasies; (6) Concern with time. Both groups scored high on the Cleveland-Fisher body image index, with the torticollis patients being characterized especially as having a frozen, immobile body image. The groups do not differ in respect to neck symbolism. The torticollis sample significantly exceeds the general conversion group in production of fantasies featuring guilt and shame and emphasizing the eyes and the act of looking. Torticollis patients also exceed the conversion group in their concern with the past and the passage of time. This pattern of findings suggests that among the conflicts contributing to the torticollis patient''s dilemma are those centering about responsibilities and demands made by ambitious parents and a materialistic society. Recent experimental work demonstrates a relationship between achievement motive and attitude toward time. Successful achievers view time as a challenge but the torticollis patient appears dismayed by time and searches the past for solace.

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