HUMAN FIGURE DRAWING BY PATIENTS WITH LABYRINTH DISEASE -
MÉNIÈRE DISEASE
Abstract
The body image is related to the overall self-perception of
an individual in the contact with the self and with external reality, and human figure drawing is a useful tool to learn the meanings of this
experience at a projective level.
According to Schilder (1981), changes of the vestibular apparatus affect
the integration of sensory experiences, with a modifying effect on body
experience.
The objective of the present study was to characterize the indices related
to body image as expressed in human figure drawing by a group of 14
patients diagnosed as presenting vestibular alterations - Ménière disease
at the Otorhynolaryngology Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital,
Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo. Of these
patients, 10 were females and 4 were males; most of then were older than
40 years of age and of low educational level. The Hammer Drawing
Battery (HTP) was applied as proposed by Campos (1986). For the
purposes of the present study, only human figure drawings (of the same
and of the opposite sex) were evaluated, and the indices suggestive of the
Degree of Sophistication of Body Concept proposed by Witkin et al.
(1962), were surveyed and grouped.
The above indices idicated the predominant presence of a low level of
elaboration and articulation of body concept, denoting an impoverished
and devalued self-image, with signs of affective immaturity, little sexual
elaboration and differentiation and lack of confidence in relating to others.
These signs are suggestive of similarities between the vestibular
alterations and those related to the psychic phenomenon of
depersonalization.
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