Patterns of dissociative (conversion) disorder cases in private psychiatric facility and the effectiveness of an indigene model of psychotherapy

Abstract

This is descriptive study was carried out on newly diagnosed dissociative (conversion) disorder patients admitted in private health care facility, Iftikhar Psychiatric Hospital Peshawar.

The studied was carried out from January 2012 to December 2012. Cases were diagnosed according to international classification of disease (ICD-10) diagnostic criteria. Subjects were selected through purposive sampling. A total of 139 patients were included in this study. Patterns of and disorder and demographic will be presented in presentation.

Due to sociocultural sensitivity of applying dialectical and CBT an indigenes model of psychotherapy was applied.

Stage 1: admission of conversion disorder cases for four days admission with informed consent, supportive psychotherapy, and brief psycho-education of attendants to avoid reinforcement of the patient's behavior. Parental single dose medication to break the cycle of fits.

Stage 2: it involves exploratory session with the patient and her/his family members focusing on what is the problem with the patient nature of stressors, and the family environment. Meanwhile, we involve the patient in the recreational and occupational therapy to avoid sick role and illness behavior.

Stage 3: psychotherapy session with the patient to give psycho-education and insight of her/his mental problem. Discussing different options, and facilitating the patient to come up with the best possible desirable option. Psychotherapy of the family members involved psycho-education about the patient's mental illness, its association with the prevailing stressors, and avoiding reinforcement. Responses have been 85% improvement in conversion disorder, 90% in sensory symptoms, 98% in motor symptoms, 95% in mixed symptoms.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.