Efficacy of words list and illustrative pictures tests in diagnosis of personality disorders in comparison with clinical interview

Diagnosis of personality disorders based on diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM) criteria has clinical limitation and is not considered as a clinical science. This survey is designed to investigate the efficacy of words list and illustrative pictures tests in personality disorders diagnosis and for propounding differential diagnosis of personality disorders. In this study, which was conducted during February 2004 to September 2005, 328 persons who seemed to be afflicted with different personality disorders were selected with random sampling from among those who had referred to therapeutic and consultation centers in Ardabil as well as Ardabil Jail prisoners. They responded to researcher-edited words and pictures tests. Out of the mentioned participants, 45 were normal ones. Obtained data were analyzed employing descriptive statistics and discriminative analysis. The findings showed that both words list and illustrative pictures tests can distinguish different personality disorders from normal persons in 96% and 100% of cases, respectively. Words list test can only diagnose borderline, paranoid, and schizotypal personality disorders in the selective executive method. Also, words list test, as a 7 degrees scale for diagnosis of personality disorders, is more useful than selection only words list. Words list and illustrative pictures tests are useful for diagnosis of personality disorders; it is also suggested that further studies be done with the mentioned tests employing more precision in choosing words and pictures.