Multiple personality disorder following conversion and dissociative disorder nos : a case report

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Conversion disorder and dissociative disorders represent complex psychiatric conditions.
• Understanding the progression of these disorders is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition-Revised (DSM-III-R) provides specific criteria for these diagnoses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of a patient exhibiting a clear progression of symptoms.
• To document the transition from conversion disorder to dissociative disorder and subsequently to multiple personality disorder (MPD).
• To discuss the clinical implications of this observed progression.

Main Methods:

• Case report methodology.
• Detailed clinical observation and assessment.
• Diagnosis based on established criteria (DSM-III-R).

Main Results:

• The patient's symptomatology evolved sequentially.
• Symptoms initially indicative of conversion disorder transitioned to those meeting criteria for a dissociative disorder.
• The patient was ultimately diagnosed with multiple personality disorder (MPD) according to DSM-III-R criteria.

Conclusions:

• This case highlights a potential developmental pathway for certain dissociative phenomena.
• The findings underscore the importance of longitudinal assessment in diagnosing complex psychiatric presentations.
• Understanding such progressions can inform therapeutic strategies for dissociative disorders and MPD.