The Meta-Contrast Technique (MCT) was used for a differential diagnosis of anxiety-ridden children aged 4-16 years. Signs of open fright in the test situation showed the greatest correlation with symptoms of paroxysmal anxiety (in older children). Other severe signs of anxiety were fusion between the hero and the threat, leaking defense formations, zero phases with no meaningful content, and direct attempts at flight. Dark formations were particularly typical of children with phobic or pseudo-phobic types of anxiety. There was reason to assume that these findings, at least as far as adolescent subjects are concerned, would also apply to adults. (Author)