The Szondi Test

Milena Seibert Fernandes

January 2021

The Szondi test was developed by Hungarian psychiatrist Léopold Szondi in 1935. It was intended to reveal a person’s
innermost suppressed traits, the parts of yourself you have pushed down into your subconscious.

1 All of the Pictures

The first step is to select one of the pictures below. Choose the one that calls to you the most. Imagine with which one of these
people would you LEAST want to be in a room with. Which one seem to have something wrong, or scary, about them?

Figure 1: Select one of the images, and remember the corresponding number

1
2 Results
According to the number you picked, the results are different. Here they are:

2.1 Number 1

Figure 2: Picture selected: The Sadist

Repression: You likely have repressed the need or desire to dominate others, due to having issues with controlling figures
as a child or a young teenager. You also tend to have strongly repressed thoughts or desires to see people suffer emotionally or
physically.
Denial: You’re by default a very peaceful and safe person and a friend to many. You tend to create extremely close bounds
with them as well. Yet, you never want to feel like anyone is controlling you, so you tend to create barriers when you do not
want to do something. You may do this by means of being passive aggressive or outright defiance as a means to frustrate and
eventually exhaust those who create issues for you.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, a way to cope with this is by writing in a journal in which you can express your
thoughts and desires in a safe and unfiltered space.

2
2.2 Number 2

Figure 3: Picture selected: The Epileptic

Repression: You tend to repress emotions and let them build up until they eventually become too much, and you explode
in anger or sadness. You may have strong feelings of anger, impulsiveness, and irritability. The reason for this behavior is that
early in your childhood you may have been told that having these feelings was not ok and was a bad thing.
Denial: You want to avoid feeling those outbursts of anger, so you tend to have a very friendly and calming disposition.
You are seen as kind and reliable by your friends and family. However, this self control you practice tends to fold under pressure
and you have a tendency at those points to lash out at others.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, a way to cope with this is by writing in a journal in which you can express your
thoughts and desires in a safe and unfiltered space.

3
2.3 Number 3

Figure 4: Picture selected: The Katatonic

Repression: You tend to spend more time in your own thoughts than anything else, so much so that it may alter your own
view on reality during times of struggle or depression. You may have been lectured or told you are not present enough by people
and that you are not worried of your own emotional or physical needs.
Denial: To attempt to avoid losing touch with reality you are very strict with yourself and have a set of rules you do not
change or alter for anyone. You as well tend to follow rules to the letter and possess a high degree of intelligence. You however
hate change and need things to be concrete instead of spontaneous.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, a way to cope with this is by writing in a journal in which you can express your
thoughts and desires in a safe and unfiltered space.

4
2.4 Number 4

Figure 5: Picture selected: The Schizophrenic

Repression: You tend to isolate yourself from other people and repress apathy for other people. You may feel paranoid
more often that others around you and you have a tough time relating to other people. Because of this, you prefer being alone.
Denial: You tend to have a lot of friends and have a constant need to be around people, whether that be spending time
with them or communicating with them frequently on the phone. Your friendships may actually be a mask for the lonely feeling
you tend to have, and you find that your relationships with people tend to lack any real substance.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, regularly make time to connect to your inner self (soul) through prayer, poetry,
acts of service, introspection, meditation, or other spiritual practices.

5
2.5 Number 5

Figure 6: Picture selected: The Hysteric

Repression: You find yourself repressing attention seeking tendencies. You were likely an only child and due to your parents
giving you the sole attention you may desire that strongly in your adult years. You may have been told by people that you are
shallow and have unstable emotions with various things. You also find yourself having a strong thirst for approval.
Denial: You are modest and try not to stand out, yet you find yourself attracted to people who are the opposite and are
the center of attention. You have been told you’re a charmer and deep down you know you in fact are. You value attention to
detail and care a lot about your physical appearance.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, draw, paint, scrapbook or otherwise artistivally express your emotions. Art
therapy is a proven way to help you achieve more inner balance and peace of mind.

6
2.6 Number 6

Figure 7: Picture selected: The Depressive

Repression: You find yourself feelind depression more frequently than others, to a point where you feel comportable and
normal in your own depression. You have strong feelings of self-loathing, guilt, and worthlessness.
Denial: You may show a friendly and outgoing side, but internally you feel very alone and empty. You also have issues with
your own self esteem and value. You also have a tough time trusting other people. You tend to avoid these thoughts and feelings
by burying yourself in relationships or work.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, regularly get out in nature: go for a daily walk, sit near a stream, take your dog
to the park, or simply sit outside in your backyard appreciating the trees and birds. Ecotherapy is a powerful way of helping
you to feel more connected to the world around you.

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2.7 Number 7

Figure 8: Picture selected: The manic

Repression: You tend to repress feelings of hyperactivity and obsessive habits. You tend to struggle with your emotions on
a daily basis which results in very compulsive habits or fixations.
Denial: On the outside you’re very logical, controlled and restrained. You find comfort and peace in balance and even
numbers and symmetry and so on. You hate chaos, loud music, and overly emotional people.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, a way to cope with this is by writing in a journal in which you can express your
thoughts and desires in a safe and unfiltered space.

8
2.8 Number 8

Figure 9: Picture selected: The Dissociative Identity Disorder

Repression: You may be having fears of accepting your sexuality or gender identity. As a child, you may have been bullied
or harassed by a parent, teacher or family member that made you feel you wouldn’t be accepted by society and members of the
opposite sex.
Denial: You feel a need to express your sexuality by being either extremely masculine or feminine. You will have a string
showing of confidence and control on the outside but on the inside you’re having a great deal of struggle with these emotions.
Coping: If you feel this is accurate for you, regularly make time to connect to your inner self (soul) through prayer, poetry,
acts of service, introspection, meditation, or other spiritual practices.