Psychological Profile of Patients with Central Serous Retinopathy

Objective:

To determine the psychological profile of Filipino patients diagnosed with central serous retinopathy (CSR).

Methodology:

Patients seen at the Philippine General Hospital and diagnosed with CSR were included in the study after undergoing an eye evaluation. They completed a data collection form and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) questionnaire that was administered by a psychologist. The results of the MMPI were analyzed against an available normative scale. The socio-demographic data and patients’ psychological profile were determined.

Results:

The study population (N=12) included 10 males (83%) and 2 females (17%), with a mean age of 38 ± 8.58 years. Eighty three percent (83%) of the patients lived at home with their families. All (100%) had some formal education; 58% attended or completed high school. The majority (75%) worked in non-professional roles (cooks, drivers, seaman, salesman) and 25% were not working. Most (67%) had no other medical illnesses. In the MMPI, the CSR patients showed tendencies to schizophrenia (84%), hysteria (83%), depression (75%), psychopathic deviate (67%), and hypochondriasis (58%).

Conclusion:

The socio-demographic data confirmed that CSR is an ailment largely affecting middle-aged men. The sample population of Filipino CSR patients have the tendency to demonstrate schizophrenia (84%), hysteria (83%), depression (75%), and psychopathic deviate (67%), and 33% showed type A personality.

Keywords: Central serous retinopathy, Central serous chorioretinopathy, Psychological profile, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory