Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate characteristics of thought disorder in inpatients with schizophrenia and manic disorder. Thought disorder shown in Rorschach in 25 inpatients with manic disorder and 26 inpatients with schizophrenia was examined using the Thought Disorder Index(TDI) and Schizophrenia Index(SCZI). Thought disorder was analized both qualitatively and quantitatively. In addition, TD-R score of 20 was proposed as cutoff score for inpatients with schizophrenia. Results indicated inpatients with schizophrenia produced greater TD-R scores than inpatients with manic disorder. However, there is a limit in making diagnosis on the basis of quantitative analysis alone as indicated by the low accuracy rate. Thus, qualitative differences of two groups on thought disorder were investigated through categorical analysis. Inpatients with schizophrenia produced significantly more responses in 'disorganization' and 'unconventioanl verbalization' categorie, while inpatients with manic disorder produced more responses in 'loosening of association' category, although not statistically significant. These findings were discussed in terms of the contribution and limitation of thought disorder in making diagnosis of mania and schizophrenia.