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Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
Depression, cortisol and somatoform dissociative symptoms.
Petr Bob1, P F Freybergh, Denisa Jasova
1Centre for Neuropsychiatric Research of Traumatic Stress and Department of Psychiatry, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. petrbob@netscape.net
Neuro Endocrinology Letters
|April 12, 2008
Summary
The study found a link between the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and somatoform dissociation in depression patients. Lower cortisol levels correlated with more somatoform dissociative symptoms, suggesting a passive coping mechanism.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Dissociative symptoms are linked to neuroendocrine responses, particularly involving the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
- The precise functioning of the HPA axis in relation to dissociation remains incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between basal serum cortisol levels and dissociative symptoms in patients with unipolar depression.
- To explore the connection between HPA axis functioning and specific types of dissociation, namely somatoform and psychic dissociation.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment and biochemical analysis were conducted on 30 inpatients diagnosed with unipolar depression.
- Basal serum cortisol levels were measured as an indicator of HPA axis activity.
Main Results:
- A significant negative correlation was observed between serum cortisol levels and somatoform dissociative symptoms (r=-0.40, p=0.014).
- No significant relationship was found between cortisol levels and psychic dissociative symptoms.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate a relationship between HPA axis reactivity and somatoform dissociative symptoms in individuals with unipolar depression.
- Somatoform dissociation may represent a defense mechanism associated with a passive coping strategy in this patient group.
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