Abstract

SILVA NETO, Antonio Carlos Pacheco e et al. Affective characteristics of narcoleptics patients as assessed by the Rorschach Test. Bol. psicol [online]. 2010, vol.60, n.132, pp.61-72. ISSN 0006-5943.

Narcolepsy is characterized by excessive diurnal drowsiness with irresistible sleep attacks and cataplexy. Theobjective of this study was to assess, using the Rorschach test, affective characteristics of a sample of 16narcoleptics patients compared to 20 non-narcoleptics subjects. Based on a literature review, three hypotheseswere tested: narcoleptics, in comparison with non-narcoleptics, should demonstrate: 1) lower engagement inaffective situations; 2) greater affective constriction; 3) greater control in affective expression. Hypothesis 1and 2 were supported, but not hypothesis 3 because narcoleptics had shown lower control of affective reactionsthan non-narcoleptics. The results demonstrate the impact of the disease in the life of narcoleptics and indicatethe relevance of psychosocial care in treatment.

Keywords : Narcolepsy; personality; Rorschach Test.

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