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Primary and secondary depersonalisation disorder: a psychometric study
M V Lambert1, C Senior, W D Fewtrell
1Depersonalisation Research Unit, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|March 14, 2001
Summary
Depersonalisation symptoms can be measured using self-report scales, with the Fewtrell Depersonalisation Scale (FDS) showing high accuracy. The study found overlap between primary and secondary forms, often linked to depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Depersonalisation is a complex disorder with unclear diagnostic and measurement methods.
- It can manifest as a primary disorder or secondary to other conditions.
- Establishing reliable assessment tools is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of self-report scales in measuring depersonalisation symptoms.
- To assess the correlation between depersonalisation, anxiety, and depression.
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Fewtrell Depersonalisation Scale (FDS) against other measures.
Main Methods:
- 42 patients with primary or secondary depersonalisation and control groups were assessed.
- Self-report questionnaires, including the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories and the FDS, were utilized.
- Statistical analyses calculated correlations, sensitivity, and specificity against an operational case definition.
Main Results:
- All assessed scales demonstrated high inter-correlations and could distinguish depersonalisation cases.
- No scale could differentiate between primary and secondary depersonalisation disorder.
- The FDS exhibited high sensitivity (85.7%) and specificity (92.3%).
- Depersonalisation symptoms strongly correlated with anxiety and particularly depression.
Conclusions:
- Depersonalisation disorder presents as a quantifiable symptom cluster measurable by self-report scales.
- Primary and secondary forms of depersonalisation exhibit significant overlap.
- Depressed mood is a common comorbidity in depersonalisation disorder.