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Conversion and somatization disorders; dissociative symptoms and other characteristics
Hatice Guz1, Zahide Doganay, Aysen Ozkan
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, 55139 Samsun, Turkey. haticeguz@turk.net
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|March 30, 2004
Summary
This study compared conversion disorder and somatization disorder, finding higher rates of dissociation in conversion disorder patients. Further research is needed to clarify the concepts of conversion, somatization, and dissociation.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
Background:
- Diagnostic classification of conversion disorder differs between ICD-10 and DSM-IV.
- ICD-10 includes conversion disorder within dissociative disorders, prompting investigation into this classification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the discrepancy in the classification of conversion disorder.
- To compare conversion disorder with somatization disorder regarding sociodemographic, psychiatric, and dissociative symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Assessed 87 patients with conversion disorder and 71 with somatization disorder.
- Utilized Patient Information Form, Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R), and Suicide Ideation Scale.
- Evaluated sociodemographic characteristics, suicide ideation, psychiatric, and dissociative symptoms.
Main Results:
- Conversion disorder patients had higher rates of high school graduates, singles, and students.
- Conversion disorder showed higher SCL-90-R total scores and scores in paranoid ideation and psychoticism subgroups.
- No statistical differences in suicide ideation or total dissociative symptoms; however, more conversion disorder patients had a DES score of 30+.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a need for further studies on somatization and dissociation to better understand conversion disorder.
- The classification of conversion disorder warrants continued investigation in relation to dissociative disorders.