The Assessment of MMPI in Panic and Somatisation Disorders: A Compara- tive Study

Aim: We aimed to investigate the relationship between anxiety disorders and somatisation disorders described in ICD-10 within the title of neurotic disorders, and the personality characteristics related to both groups. Method: Fifty-eight individuals who were either have DSM-IV panic disorder (PD) and or somatisation disorder (SD) completed the Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI). Intergroup differences of MMPI scores and personality disorders were analyzed. Result: The scores obtained from the clinical subscales of PD (n:28) and SD patients (n:30), and in the MMPI test were similar in comparison. The differences between the MMPI scores of PD and SD patients were statistically significant regarding the passive-aggressive personality disorder, avoidant personality disorder, borderline personality disorder and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder scores. The mean values of the study conducted in a Turkish population sample were used as cut-points, the results were greater than normal in the psychastenia and depression subtest scores in group PD, and in deny subtest in group SD (p<0.01). Conclusion: The findings were compatible with those in the literature. All of these personality disorders above-mentioned and found high in PD with an exception of the borderline personality disorder share high comorbidity with neuroticism. However, comparative studies following treatment are required whether these characteristics are related to the personality structure or the nature of PD.