Hysteria: a clinical and sociodemographic profile of 40 patients admitted to a teaching hospital, 1985-1995

This is a retrospective clinical study of 40 inpatients diagnosed as suffering from hysteria, as defined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders [DSM III-R], admitted to King Khalid University Hospital at Riyadh over a period 10 years [1985-95]. The female: male ratio was 3:1, 80% were less than 30 years of age and 60% were single. Hysterical conversion was the most common type [95%], whereas hysterical dissociation was rare [2.5%]. A stressful situation preceded the onset of symptoms in 62.5% of the cases

A study of 111 cases of globus hystericus.

Videofluorography (VFG) and manometry were used to evaluate 111 patients who were diagnosed with globus hystericus. Most of the globus patients were affected by functional diseases and the underlying pathology could be revealed by VFG in 73.9 per cent of the series and by manometry in 80.2 per cent. There were 10.8 per cent of the series in which VFG and manometry yieled normal findings. The most common abnormality determined by manometry was esophageal aperistalsis. The most common abnormality revealed by VFG was cricopharyngeal bar. VFG was sensitive for morphologic detection while manometry was sensitive for motility study. Functional disorders can result in morphologic abnormality and vice versa. Therefore, VFG and manometry complement each other and are invaluable tools in the investigation of globus patients.

Vertigo presenting as conversion disorder in a 10 year old Arab girl

Conversion disorder in a healthy 10 year old girl which appeared as severe vertigo followed the death of the patient's grandmother. The authors discuss the patient's social environment and note the need of sympathetic and confidence building treatment by the doctor. They emphasise the need for speedy treatment to avoid consolidation of symptoms