Ever taken the Rorschach?

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I am in my mid fifties now and can identify with this. Many of our problems simply didn't fit into the standard psychodynamic model of the time. Of course, it must be noted that everyone tends to believe that others think and feel like they do, so the mental health types were just projecting their own inner psychic issues onto your life and behavior.

Once again, I think I will reply before I read the thread..
I have taken this & the MMPI many times. Well, the testors did not like it when you tell them its an inkblot! Which I have done. Usually I see bats or butterflies. Making up stories about some of them was actually a little difficult for me. And I am a poet! But seriously, its just splotches on paper..
I have gotten a couple of widely varying interpetations of my "difficulties" from these tests. One was a "Cry for Help" another was "No real problems". However, no one bothered to ask me about my history. Which might not have helped, neither HFA or AS was even kown to exist at the time ( the 1980s).
It certainly led to a lot of angst on my therapist's part. Honestly, I did not mean to hurt her pride like that. But theysimply were barking up the WRONG Tree back then. And I did not have a coherent undestanding of ALL my challenges. I did realize at that time in my life I was having enormous difficulties in understanding body language. Other problems friends in my college dorm pointed out but in a way that caused me to shrug off their complaints. I needed more time for insight..
But it cost me everything I had dreamed off, my Life's ambition, before I gained it.. Damn!

Sincerely,
Matthew

I am sure that many will legitimately criticize the Myers-Briggs. I took it in Boston when I was evaluated and (mis)diagnosed by some Harvard doctors fifteen years ago, and yes, it is a merely self reported test, and one that caters to the mass market.
I will check out the concerns of the validity of the M-B. My sense is that the main reason for critiicsm is that no one can make money off it. Give the guy (or gal) the test, tell him he is such and such, and there is nothing wrong with his core personality style. Just go out and associate with his own kind, and deal with the other types as best as he can.Therefore, no money changes hands. No professional can establish a formal diagnosis, recommend further counseling /therapeutic sessions, write a journal article or book, prescribe medicine, etc. Whatever its real or perceived flaws, the Myers-Briggs may very well be the most cost effective way to go.The mental health types may not like it, but society doesn't have the resources to do otherwise.

ennegramme is supposed to be a more exact personality test. It is also one you can take online. I don't think I spelled it right but it is close enough that if you google it then it will show up

I took an online version of the Myers-Briggs with Paladin Associates of California back in the late 90's, paid some (probably less than $40), and received a detailed thirty page report on my personality type. I am glad you mentioned the Enneagrams. I took an online test with it a year ago, and it was much better than the M-B. I never bothered to go to the enneagram conferences, however. Even if I did, it would be less expensive than going through the standard mental health psychotherapy.