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Childhood abuse in patients with conversion disorder
Karin Roelofs1, Ger P J Keijsers, Kees A L Hoogduin
1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Leiden, Leiden The Netherlands. roelofs@fsw.leidenuniv.nl
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|November 2, 2002
Summary
Childhood trauma, including physical and sexual abuse, is linked to conversion disorder. Hypnotic susceptibility partially mediates this relationship, supporting historical theories.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Conversion disorder (CD) is historically linked to childhood trauma, but empirical evidence is limited.
- Janet's autohypnosis theory suggests hypnotic susceptibility may mediate the trauma-conversion symptom relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood traumatization and conversion disorder.
- To examine if hypnotic susceptibility mediates the link between trauma and conversion symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 54 patients with conversion disorder and 50 with affective disorder were assessed.
- Utilized the Structured Trauma Interview, Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), and Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ).
Main Results:
- Conversion disorder patients reported higher rates of physical/sexual abuse, longer abuse duration, and incest compared to controls.
- Within the CD group, maternal dysfunction correlated with higher DES and SDQ scores.
- Physical abuse was associated with more conversion symptoms; hypnotic susceptibility partially mediated the abuse-conversion symptom link.
Conclusions:
- This study provides empirical evidence supporting a relationship between childhood traumatization and conversion disorder.
- Findings support Janet's theory regarding the role of hypnotic susceptibility in conversion disorder.