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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
09:55
Use of a Psychophysiological Script-driven Imagery Experiment to Study Trauma-related Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder
Published on: March 8, 2018
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[Somatoform dissociation in medical practice]
Bianka Dorottya Kovács1, Judit Molnár1
11 Debreceni Egyetem, Általános Orvostudományi Kar, Magatartástudományi Intézet Debrecen, Móricz Zs. krt. 22., 4032 Magyarország.
Orvosi Hetilap
|February 23, 2025
Summary
Somatoform dissociation involves bodily symptoms without a clear organic cause, affecting about 10% of people. Recognizing and treating this complex condition is crucial for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Somatoform dissociation is a mental phenomenon characterized by a lack of integration in bodily experiences, reactions, and functions.
- These dissociative symptoms affecting the body are not explained by current medical knowledge of organic disorders.
- Prevalence is estimated at 10% in clinical and general populations, though clinical observations suggest it may be higher.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the phenomenon of somatoform dissociation, including its frequency and developmental causes.
- To summarize methods for measuring somatoform dissociation.
- To provide guidance on differential diagnosis, recognition, and treatment of the disorder.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing knowledge on somatoform dissociation.
- Analysis of clinical observations regarding prevalence and presentation.
- Summary of diagnostic and measurement tools.
Main Results:
- Somatoform dissociation presents with unexplained somatic symptoms, often challenging to recognize in primary care.
- The disorder can affect patients across various medical specialties, including neurology, gastroenterology, gynecology, urology, and cardiology.
- Current estimates of 10% prevalence may underestimate the true occurrence.
Conclusions:
- Accurate recognition and diagnosis of somatoform dissociation are essential for effective patient management.
- Understanding the phenomenon, its causes, and diagnostic methods is key for healthcare providers.
- Further research may be needed to refine prevalence estimates and treatment strategies.
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