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Name: PAI Sample Age: 34 Sex: F Referred By: You Interpret Date: 1/5/02 Test Date: 1/5/02 PHONE (800) 588-9412 FAX (608) 756-5840 PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT INVENTORY REPORT - ADULT To aid in diagnosis and treatment planning, Ms. Sample was administered the Personality Assessment Inventory. The following test findings are based on Ms. Sample's responses to a widely used standardized psychological test. As with all such tests, the validity of test results is limited by Ms. Sample's honesty and self-awareness. The report findings below should be taken as generalized probability statements that are made without benefit of clinical interview or history. Further clinical verification is needed to assist in the interpretation of test findings in light of Ms. Sample's unique history and present circumstances. As psychological tests were designed primarily for diagnosis and treatment planning purposes, the findings below focus on problems, deficits and pathology and may de-emphasize Ms. Sample's strengths. Because of this, use without collaboration, other than for the clinical screening purposes for which they were intended, may be misleading. This is a CONFIDENTIAL REPORT meant for qualified Mental Health, Correctional and Substance Abuse professionals. While feedback of test findings to clients is highly encouraged and should be an integral part of therapy and treatment planning, clients should not be given copies of this report as they may misunderstand report contents and their tentative nature. VALIDITY OF TEST RESULTS Test validity scales did not show signs that Ms. Sample answered test questions in random ways, was careless, lacked in effort, had reading difficulties, and/or was overly cognitive confused in responding to test questions, which enhances the probable accuracy of the test findings given below. Ms. Sample was normally defensive in testing and did not attempted to minimize her problems or present herself in a positive light. Mild tendencies for Ms. Sample to present herself in an unfavorably negative light were seen in testing. This "fake bad" response set may affect the validity of test findings, as test results are probably a mild overstatement of Ms. Sample's true symptoms/problems. Such a response set may reflect Ms. Sample's experience of true problems, feelings of being overwhelmed by her problems, chronic atypical thought patterns, and/or a compulsive need to be frank. Ms. Sample was consistent in answering test questions similarly throughout the test, which enhances the probable validity of the test findings given below. TEST RESULTS INTELLECTUAL FUNCTIONING Significant levels of emotional upset are reported which may interfere with memory, concentration, abstraction and judgment. Concentration difficulties are probable with Ms. Sample being distractible, preoccupied, and inattentive. This may cause Ms. Sample to miss important environmental cues leading to decreased judgment and coping. Due to a lack of self-confidence, Ms. Sample may be indecisive and have problems with decision-making. Ms. Sample may show poor planning as she is severely cognitively impulsive. A lack of proper cognitive mediation and/or planning is likely as she often acts without considering consequences or alternative courses of action. Severe racing thoughts and flight of ideas may be occurring which can result in cognitive impulsivity, poor concentration, inattention and misinterpretation of situations. Mild Schizotypal features were evident in testing. Mild levels of mental confusion are reported. In the PAI, Ms. Sample did not describe having unusual sensory experiences. PERCEIVED LIFE STRESS, RESOURCES AND SUPPORT A severe amount of present stress was described by Ms. Sample. She reports having few supportive people in her present life to help her deal with problems and reduce her stress level. Ms. Sample is well motivated to seek out professional help, as she feels that psychological interventions are very likely to help her deal with her problems. Her attitudes and personality are likely to enhance Ms. Sample's ability to profit from psychotherapy, should she enter into therapy. EMOTIONAL FUNCTIONING Ms. Sample describes herself as a happy-go-lucky, cheerful, optimistic individual who rarely feels sad. As she may be unrealistically optimistic, Ms. Sample may not be deterred by fear of negative consequences or by guilt. Moderate feelings of sadness, ahedonia and dejection exist. Ms. Sample experiences significant cognitive symptoms of depression including thoughts of hopelessness, helplessness and failure that can adversely affect self-esteem and judgment. Ms. Sample does not report physical symptoms/signs of depression. Ms. Sample's level of true depression may be significantly less than what she subjectively experiences as she overly focuses on feelings. Strong subjective depression is noted with Ms. Sample being very despondent. Such severe levels of anxiety are reported that Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Phobias, ADHD, Mania and PTSD need to be clinically ruled out. Ms. Sample reports being so nervous that she has trouble dealing with everyday stress, pressure, and demands. She easily feels panicky, distraught, and vulnerable due to over evaluating objective danger, as Ms. Sample feels threatened by people or events commonly seen as of little or no concern. Levels of anxiety reported are likely to interfere with coping skills, increase impulsivity and lead to aversive consequences that can produce more anxiety. Severe levels of worry were described, as Ms. Sample is an over-ruminative worrier. No indications of heightened autonomic arousal were seen in testing. Ms. Sample's level of anxiety is significantly less than what she subjectively experiences as she focuses on anxious feelings. Severe subjective feelings of anxiety were described, with Ms. Sample feeling easily overwhelmed. Testing does not evidence phobias and/or tendencies to develop phobias. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder symptoms were not evident. Very severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms were endorsed. Her PTSD symptoms are probably very disruptive to Ms. Sample's day to day functioning as they are likely to lead to impulsive self-defeating behavior, impaired judgment, mood swings and/or behavioral avoidance. Overall anger indicators are low to the point of possible repressed anger. Ms. Sample may have problems acknowledging and dealing with angry feelings leading her to not acknowledge them. Anger can be periodically expressed in explosive ways. Moderate overall tendencies toward the verbal expressions of anger were admitted to in testing. Ms. Sample reports a history of seldom physically expressing anger. Ms. Sample reports having significantly stronger generalized tendencies to verbally rather than physically express anger. Ms. Sample describes average levels of Trait Anger and presents herself as generally experiencing normal levels of anger. She reports being somewhat quick tempered with anger, at times, being evoked with little provocation. Ms. Sample is an emotionally sensitive, high-strung individual who often experiences intense feelings. Impulse control is questionable. While under many situations she can control her impulses, under stress she may not be able to do so. Ms. Sample's reported energy level is moderately raised with her being an action-oriented individual who has a high energy level. Increased energy may lead to poor judgment and reckless behavior. Low levels of sensation-seeking behaviors were described. Ms. Sample might be overly cautious and take few risks. ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE Ms. Sample reports moderate, but significant, indications of characteristics typically found among drug-dependent individuals in the PAI. Test findings do not indicate characteristics similar to those found among alcohol-dependent individuals. Ms. Sample indicates a preference for drug over alcohol use. SOMATIC FUNCTIONING Average levels of generalized somatic concerns are reported. Severe Hypochondriac complaints (often without a clear organic basis) are probable as Ms. Sample reports an extensive range of physical symptoms that may include intake, elimination and pains in internal organs. A history of physical symptoms, most of which are vague, and a severe preoccupation with bodily functioning are probable as she overly focuses on minor illnesses which causes more concern than would normally be expected. Such scores may also reflect true physical problems that need to be clinically ruled out. Ms. Sample may have true physical symptoms, some of which may be stress-related. When physical problems exist, exaggeration of symptoms is probable. A severe tendency for conversion symptoms to develop exists. Even though Ms. Sample displays tendencies to somatize, current severe levels of stresses and/or stress proneness can cause legitimate stress-related somatic problems to develop including cardiovascular and gastric symptoms. Somatic problems may be used to indirectly express anger or to manipulate others. Many secondary gains are probable as Ms. Sample uses physical complaints to vent feelings, escape responsibility and to control others with little awareness. INTERPERSONAL FUNCTIONING Ms. Sample is an introverted individual who tends to be more comfortable when alone. An attachment deficit may exist as Ms. Sample describes engaging in significant avoidance and interpersonal withdrawal. Ms. Sample may at times display a limited sense of empathy. Ms. Sample describes herself as being interpersonally warm and loving. Ms. Sample is extremely passive and submissive. She does not want to take responsibility and can become lost without someone telling her what to do. Average levels of interpersonal suspiciousness were described. Ms. Sample is vigilant to her environment to see if others are out to harm her. Ms. Sample is overly trusting and may not be suspicious enough of others and so may easily be taken advantage of by dependent or predatory individuals. When Ms. Sample feels slighted, she can feel resentful and may at times become vengeful. Ms. Sample's relationships tend to be stable. She has little difficulty maintaining long-term relationships. Many social problems are reported, with Ms. Sample feeling largely unloved and unsupported. Dysfunctional, conflictual relationships are probable. She feels very unsupported by others. SELF IMAGE Ms. Sample lacks a stable sense of identity and generally feels unsure about what she wants from life. Ms. Sample lacks an internal compass and has difficulty knowing what she wants to do in situations. This can lead to much ambivalence and anxiety. Her behavior tends to be inconsistent and erratic, with Ms. Sample having severe difficulty sustaining goal directed behavior. Feelings of self-efficacy are low. She is extremely self critical, focuses on negative and has difficulty acknowledging the positive in herself. DIAGNOSTIC CONSIDERATIONS RULE OUT AXIS I Panic Attacks without Agoraphobia Somatization Disorder Dissociative Disorder Hypomania Cyclothymia Dysthymia Generalized Anxiety Disorder Adjustment Disorder with Anxious Mood Post Traumatic Stress Disorder TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS DUE TO SEVERE LEVELS OF DEPRESSION AND SUICIDAL THOUGHT REPORTED IN TESTING, IMMEDIATE EXHAUSTIVE CLINICAL INVESTIGATION OF POSSIBLE SUICIDAL IDEATION SHOULD OCCUR WITH NECESSARY INTERVENTIONS TAKEN. PSYCHIATRIC REFERRAL FOR EVALUATION FOR PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS IS WARRANTED INCLUDING MEDICATION FOR: ANXIETY, MOOD STABILIZATION, She does not report having supportive people in her present life that can help her deal with problems and reduce her stress level. As it is likely that Ms. Sample's emotions are interfering with her cognitive processing, immediate interventions to alleviate emotional distress are suggested. Significant environmental support and external structure are vital because Ms. Sample needs external restraints to deter maladaptive behavior. Liaison between Ms. Sample's probation/parole officer, family, AA sponsor, caregivers, therapists and/or employer is essential. Ms. Sample needs to learn to regulate her moods through use of Cognitive Behavioral techniques and/or medication. AODA use may be a cause of Ms. Sample's moodiness, though conversely, AODA use may be an attempt to self-medicate her emotional lability. A Cognitive Behavioral approach to teach Ms. Sample how to acknowledge and then detach from her feelings is necessary since she is prone to acting directly on emotions without thinking. Ms. Sample needs education about the nature of emotions and must learn ways of not immediately responding once feelings arise. Ms. Sample needs to increase impulse control and learn to see her feelings as "red flags" that call for problem solving rather than as imperatives upon which she must act. Use of Cognitive Behavioral techniques to increase cognitive mediation, to teaching problem-solving skills, increase frustration/stress tolerance through stress inoculation training, and discover impulse triggers is suggested. Ms. Sample's Dysthymic victim stance should be addressed in therapy through use of Cognitive Behavioral techniques. She needs to gain insight on how this worldview creates a self-fulfilling prophecy Ms. Sample's reported level of depression is so low that she may require high levels of confrontation and consequences to motivate change. Use of imagery centering on the consequences of maladaptive acting out may help make Ms. Sample more aware of her need to change. Ms. Sample reports significant anxiety and could profit from Stress Management procedures as her anxiety may interfere with her ability to learn and/or may contribute to maladaptive activity and AODA use. High levels of anxiety are reported that may require Mental Heath evaluation/treatment if they are clinically seen. Stress management techniques and alternate ways of coping with anxiety and anxiety producing situations should be taught. Specific treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is needed if clinically seen, use of EMDR should be considered. As somatization is likely, Ms. Sample needs to be refocused away from somatic concerns once she has been medically evaluated. Medical problems should not be accepted as a way of avoiding responsible behavior and/or therapy. Variables: PAI FULL SCALES: PAI_ICN - 24 PAI_INF - 55 PAI_NIM - 62 PAI_PIM - 41 PAI_SOM - 67 PAI_ANX - 95 PAI_ARD - 83 PAI_DEP - 34 PAI_MAN - 78 PAI_PAR - 45 PAI_SCZ - 62 PAI_BOR - 69 PAI_ANT - 24 PAI_ALC - 55 PAI_DRG - 67 PAI_AGG - 23 PAI_SUI - 77 PAI_STR - 99 PAI_NON - 72 PAI_RXR - 34 PAI_DOM - 22 PAI_WRM - 65 PAI SUB SCALES: PAI_SOM_ - 75 PAI_SOM_ - 82 PAI_SOM_ - 43 PAI_ANX_ - 87 PAI_ANX_ - 99 PAI_ANX_ - 56 PAI_ARD_ - 34 PAI_ARD_ - 54 PAI_ARD_ - 88 PAI_DEP_ - 72 PAI_DEP_ - 66 PAI_DEP_ - 22 PAI_MAN_ - 66 PAI_MAN_ - 22 PAI_MAN_ - 63 PAI_PAR_ - 62 PAI_PAR_ - 34 PAI_PAR_ - 63 PAI_SCZ_ - 56 PAI_SCZ_ - 68 PAI_SCZ_ - 63 PAI_BOR_ - 74 PAI_BOR_ - 82 PAI_BOR_ - 45 PAI_BOR_ - 61 PAI_ANT_ - 54 PAI_ANT_ - 62 PAI_ANT_ - 33 PAI_AGG_ - 57 PAI_AGG_ - 66 PAI_AGG_ - 34 SEX - F |
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