PATIENTS WITH CONVERSION DISORDER

PSYCHO-SOCIAL STRESSORS AND LIFE EVENTS

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the frequency of the various psychosocial stressors and stressful life events in patients presenting with conversion disorder. Study Design: Case series 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 January, 2009 to March, 2009. Subjects & Methods: The sample consisted of 100 in-patients (89 Female, 11 Male) with Conversion Disorder. They were interviewed and
results were analysed from the entries in a Performa. Results: Stressors were clearly identified in 100 patients. In all patients, we found more than one stressor. Among patients, there were (24%) In-laws problems, (23%) Love problems, (21%) Relationship problems with family, (20%) exam/study stress, (15%) marriage against will, (13%) demanding and pampered child, (11%) Issue less, (10%) sexual abuse, (8%) demand of marriage, (6%) overage in wait of marriage, (4%) death of partner, (3%) husband abroad and (3%) patient’s engagement break. Conclusions: We concluded that stressors and life events were present in all conversion disorder’s patients and these stressful life events are important causal factors for Conversion Disorder. Conversion Disorder has strong relationship with psychosocial stressors.