Childhood Trauma and Alexithymia in Patients with Conversion Disorder

To determine the relationship between childhood trauma (physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect) and alexithymia in patients with conversion disorder, and to identify it as a predictor of alexithymia in conversion disorder.

An analytical study.

Multiple public sector hospitals in Lahore, from September 2012 to July 2013.

Eighty women with conversion disorder were recruited on the basis of DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria checklist to screen conversion disorder. Childhood abuse interview to measure childhood trauma and Bermond Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire, DSM-IV TR Dianostic Criteria Checklist, and Childhood Abuse Interview to assess alexithymia were used, respectively.

The mean age of the sample was 18 ±2.2 years. Thirty-six cases had a history of childhood trauma, physical abuse was the most reported trauma (f = 19, 23.8%) in their childhood. Patients with conversion disorder has a significant association with alexithymia (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that childhood sexual abuse could predict alexithymia (F= 7.05, p < 0.05). Among the alexithymia domain, childhood physical abuse significantly predicted the difficulty in verbalizing emotions among the abused patients (F= 6.40, p < 0.05).

The study highlighted childhood abuse and emotional pent up as an etiological factor of conversion disorder. Strategies should be devised to reduce this disorder among women in Pakistani society.