654 – Anger Expression and Impulsivity in Conversion Disorder

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess anger expression and impulsivity in conversion disorder patients with and without comorbid depression. Fifty-eight patients had been diagnosed with conversion disorder, according to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV). All patients were evaluated with SCID-I. Fiftyseven age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated with a Structured Clinical Interview (SCID-I/NP). Conversion disorder patients were subdivided into those with (n=26) and without (n = 32) depression. A sociodemographic data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, The State Trait Anger Scale and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11 were administered. There was found significant differences between conversion disorder patients and controls in trait anger (p< 0.01), internalized anger (p< 0.01), externalized anger (p< 0.05) and anger control (p< 0.05). All patients had more attentional impulsivity (p< 0.01), impulsive non-planning (p< 0.01) in terms of impulsivity, and higher scores on the BIS-11 (p< 0.01) than controls. No significant differences were found between conversion disorder patients with and without depression in anger expression except anger control (p< 0.05). As a conclusion, conversion disorder patients are similar to depression patients in terms of anger experience and impulsive characteristics, but different with regards to anger control and motor impulsivity.