CONVERSION DISORDER;

Childhood sexual abuse in patients, a descriptive study in in-patients of Tertiary Care psychiatric facility.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study was to find out association and pattern of childhood sexual abuse in patients
presenting with conversion disorder. Study Design: A descriptive study. Place & duration of study: The study was conducted in the
Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Sciences, Bahawal Victoria Hospital & Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur from June,
2011 to December, 2011. Subjects & Methods: The sample consisted of 60 Female in-patients with Conversion Disorder by purposive
sampling. They were interviewed and results were analysed from the entries in a semi structured Performa. Results: Out of 60 patients,
34(57%) reported sexually abused in childhood and 26(43%) not abused. There were 19(32%) patients reported uncomfortable sexual
talk, sexual touching, 9(15%) reported attempted intercourse which was successful and 6(10%) reported attempted for intercourse but
failed in their aim. 14(23%) patients abused by their relatives, 5(8%) by Neighbours and strangers, 3(5%) by their health caregivers,
boyfriends and class fellows and 1(2%) by teachers. Conclusions: This study shows a positive association between severe sexual abuse
(Uncomfortable talk, sexual touching, penetration or attempted penetration) in childhood and Conversion Disorder in adult life.