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Hypnotic susceptibility in patients with conversion disorder
Karin Roelofs1, Kees A L Hoogduin, Ger P J Keijsers
1Department of Clinical Psychology and Personality, University of Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Roelofs@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
Journal of Abnormal Psychology
|May 11, 2002
Summary
This study found that patients with conversion disorder exhibit higher hypnotic susceptibility than those with affective disorders. This suggests a link between hypnotism and conversion symptoms, offering new insights into the condition.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
Background:
- Conversion disorder has historically been linked to hypnosis, often considered a form of self-hypnosis.
- Empirical evidence supporting the relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and conversion symptoms remains limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the empirical relationship between hypnotic susceptibility and conversion symptoms.
- To compare hypnotic susceptibility, cognitive dissociation, and somatoform dissociation in patients with conversion disorder versus those with affective disorder.
Main Methods:
- Compared 50 patients diagnosed with conversion disorder to 50 matched controls with affective disorder.
- Assessed hypnotic susceptibility, cognitive dissociation, and somatoform dissociation in all participants.
Main Results:
- Patients with conversion disorder demonstrated significantly higher responsiveness to hypnotic suggestions compared to control patients.
- A significant positive correlation was observed between hypnotic susceptibility and the number of reported conversion complaints in conversion disorder patients.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first empirical evidence directly linking hypnotic susceptibility to the presence and severity of conversion symptoms.
- Findings support the hypothesis that conversion disorder may involve elements of autohypnosis or heightened hypnotic responsiveness.