Sociodemographic profile of normal EEG-dissociative disorder (convulsion) patients

Few Indian studies have explored the sociodemographic variables of dissociative disorder (convulsion), which may be dramatic in presentation causing significant socio-economical and emotional difficulties to patients and care-givers. This prospective study hopes to explore the sociodemographic variables in normal EEG-disssociative disorder (convulsion). The study was conducted from January 2004 to September 2004 in the psychiatry outpatients department (OPD) of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata. After screening by history, astute clinical examination and application of predetermined inclusion and exclusion criterion, 41/52 patients were finally selected for the study. Written consent was taken from all the patients. They were then evaluated to elicit necessary information required in the semistructured proforma. Data were analysed by using appropriate statistical method ie, Z-test. The present study suggested that dissociative disorder (convulsion) predominantly affected females, mostly housewives and students, coming from rural, low socio-economic conditions with poor educational background. Majority of the patients presented acutely. Depressive disorder was the most common comorbid psychiatric abnormality. The findings of the present study were in tune with the findings of the few earlier studies available.