Clinical correlates of dissociative tendencies in male soldiers with conversion disorder

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship of dissociative tendencies (DT) with conversion subtype, alexithymia, severity of anxiety and depression symptoms in male soldiers with conversion disorder (CD).

Fifty-five male soldiers, patients who met DSM-IV criteria for CD, were included in the study. Subjects were given Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I), Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (Ham-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (Ham-A), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20).

Those who had motor symptoms or deficits had lower mean DES scores than those who had no motor symptoms or deficits, whereas those who had seizures or convulsions had higher mean DES scores than those who had no seizures or convulsions. DES scores were correlated with psychic subscale of Ham-A, Ham-D, TAS-20 and both state anxiety and trait anxiety scores of STAI. Trait anxiety score and duration of military service were predictors for DT and they explained 34% of variance.

The data suggest that although DT correlated with alexithymia and depression, they are fundamentally different constructs and only trait anxiety and duration of military service predicts DT in soldiers with CD.