Conversion and Somatization Disorders: Dissociative Symptoms and Other Characteristics

Abstract

Objective There is a difference in classification of conversion disorder in ICD-10 and DSM-IV. Conversion disorder is included in dissociative disorders in ICD-10. In view of this, we aimed to clarify this discrepancy in the classification of this diagnosis. Methods We assessed 87 patients with conversion disorder and 71 patients with somatization disorder for sociodemographic characteristics, suicide ideation, psychiatric symptoms and dissociative symptoms using the Patient Information Form, the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), the Symptom Check List (SCL-90-R) and the Suicide Ideation Scale. Results The number of the high school graduates, singles and students with conversion disorders was higher than the number of patients with the same characteristics who have somatization disorder. In conversion disorder, the SCL-90-R total score and the score in paranoid ideation, psychoticism subgroups were higher than the scores in somatization disorders. There were no statistical differences in suicide ideation and the total score of dissociative symptoms between the two disorders. The number of patients whose total DES score of 30 and above was higher in conversion disorders. Discussion As a result of this present study, we concluded that to enlighten the concepts of conversion, further somatization and dissociation studies are necessary. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.