Intake & Presenting Somatic Complaint
Renu Sachdeva, Anand Dubey & B. L. Dubey
(SIS Journal of Projective Psychology & Mental Health, (2023):30:2, 110-114).
The somatic Inkblot Test (SIT online version) was administered to 32 years divorced female who was referred for psychological assessment and psychotherapy. The responses on SIT indicated her preoccupation with bodily process and health issues (HPV and cervical cancer risk), which is confirmed by her case history. Slightly high sex responses on SIT have indicated sexual trauma/conflict. This is validated through clinical findings and her dissatisfied physical/intimate relationship for 10 years with her husband. As she narrated, her sexual relationship with her husband was unfulfilling and she has been a victim of sexual abuse on two separate occasions involving two different men. She has sexual trauma and unmet sexual desires which she is now trying to explore with other men after her divorce. The SIT responses helped her to release unprocessed material and the client is feeling better after two sessions of psychotherapy.
Introduction:
Marriage, as a basic institution, exists in every soc
The Projective Stimulus & Subconscious Projection
After initial responses on Somatic Inkblot Test, further probing was done in a one-on-one session. Her responses to 16 of the 30 images were explored due to atypical responses and because they suggested relationship conflict and issues related to sexual abuse and trauma.
On the basis of the one-on-one session, her responses have been clustered into 3 broad areas given below:”
Clinician Decoding & Subconscious Dynamics
Conflict in a marriage is inevitable. Whenever two people get together and interact, their belief system and personal habits may be a cause of difference between them. They have to develop liking and understanding for each other. Normally, in healthy relationships couples tend to accept and resolve conflict. However, a little thing, if not tackled properly, can slip into the relationship, can cause friction and separation between the couples. Marital conflict may lead to various personal, familial, physical, and psychological consequences, resulting in anxiety, depression, eating disorders, psychosomatic problems and many more issues (Manickam & Suhani, 2014, Singh & Dubey,2020,2021).
The present paper is a case study of a 32 years divorced female who was referred for psychological assessment and psychotherapy. She took Somatic Inkblot Test online (SIT) and the responses were interpreted using content analysis and psychoanalytic interpretation (Gilbert, 1977, Cassell & Dubey,2003, 2014, Dubey et al, 2019, Shafer, 1954).
The Case:
The client, a 32-year-old, female, undergraduate, recently divorced from her husband of 10 year. She has had troubled relationships with her past boyfriends. She was also having a tense relationship with her father. She has consulted a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with a case of anxiety with mild depression. She has been to two therapists for psychotherapy with no improvement. The Somatic Imagery Test was administered online to unders
Treatment Intervention & Longitudinal Recovery
Intervention Strategy: SIT diagnostic assessment followed by cognitive and psychodynamic therapeutic intervention.
Longitudinal Outcome: Resolution of acute somatic complaints and successful integration of affective boundaries.
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