Psychiatric Symptoms and Dissociation in Conversion, Somatization and Dissociative Disorders

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(3), 270-276. DOI: 10.1080/00048670802653307

Posted: 15 Jul 2017

See all articles by Helena Espirito Santo

Helena Espirito Santo

Instituto Superior Miguel Torga; Universidade de Coimbra - Centro de Investigação do Núcleo de Estudos e Intervenção Cognitivo- Comportamental

Jose Pio-Abreu

Independent

Date Written: July 8, 2017

Abstract

Conversion, dissociation and somatization are historically related in the long established concept of hysteria. Somewhere along the way they were separated due to the Cartesian dualistic view. The aim of the present study was to compare these pathologies and investigate whether symptoms of these pathologies overlap in their clinical appearance in a Portuguese sample. Twenty-six patients with conversion disorder, 38 with dissociative disorders, 40 with somatization disorder, and a comparison group of 46 patients having other psychiatric disorders answered questions about dissociation (Dissociative Experiences Scale), somatoform dissociation (Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire), and psychopathological symptoms (Brief Symptom Inventory). Dissociative and somatoform symptoms were significantly more frequent in dissociative and conversion disorder than in somatization disorder and controls. There were no significant differences between dissociative and conversion patients. Conversion disorder is closely related to dissociative disorders. These results support the ICD-10 categorization of conversion disorder among dissociative disorders and the hypothesis of analogous psychopathological processes in conversion and dissociative disorders versus somatization disorder.

Keywords: Psychiatric Symptoms, Dissociation, Conversion, Somatization, Dissociative Disorders

Suggested Citation

Espirito Santo, Helena and Pio-Abreu, Jose, Psychiatric Symptoms and Dissociation in Conversion, Somatization and Dissociative Disorders (July 8, 2017). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 43(3), 270-276. DOI: 10.1080/00048670802653307 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2999094

Helena Espirito Santo (Contact Author)

Instituto Superior Miguel Torga ( email )

Largo da Cruz de Celas nº1
Coimbra, Coimbra 3000-132
Portugal
239404608 (Phone)

Universidade de Coimbra - Centro de Investigação do Núcleo de Estudos e Intervenção Cognitivo- Comportamental ( email )

Portugal

Jose Pio-Abreu

Independent ( email )

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