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Dissociative experiences and psychopathology in conversion disorders.
C Spitzer1, B Spelsberg, H J Grabe
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany. Spitzer@rz.uni-greifswald.de
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|April 8, 1999
Summary
Patients with conversion disorders exhibit more dissociative symptoms than those with other neurotic disorders. This suggests shared psychological processes underlie both conversion and dissociative disorders.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Dissociation and conversion historically linked to hysteria.
- Current nosology separates these conditions, leading to independent research.
- High somatization noted in dissociative disorders, but dissociation in conversion disorders is understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of dissociative symptoms in conversion disorders.
- To compare dissociative and general psychopathology in conversion disorder patients versus controls.
- To explore the relationship between conversion and dissociative disorders.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 72 conversion disorder patients using the German Dissociative Experience Scale (DES) and Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R).
- Compared findings with 96 matched psychiatric patients with various neurotic disorders.
- Utilized a case-control design with standardized psychometric instruments.
Main Results:
- Conversion disorder patients showed significantly higher frequencies of dissociative symptoms compared to controls.
- No significant differences were found in general psychopathology (SCL-90-R scores) between the groups.
- Dissociative symptoms are a notable feature in conversion disorders.
Conclusions:
- Findings support the hypothesis of similar underlying psychological processes in conversion and dissociative disorders.
- Despite descriptive differences, a shared psychopathology may exist.
- Further research into the dissociation-conversion link is warranted.