Factors affecting recovery from obsessive and hysterical disorders

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out on 60 neurotic patients diagnosed according to the criteria of DSM III-R. It included 30 patients with Obsessive compulsive disorders and 30 patients with Hysterical disorders. In all patients the illness was either persistent or recurrent for at least one year inspite of active proper treatment. Clinical evaluation and psychometric assessment of illness were done using Present state examination [PSE], Ego strength scale and life events questionnaire. Overall judgement of patients psychological and social functioning was done by the use of Global assessment functioning scale [GAF]. In both obsessive and hysterical patients, the duration of illness was found to he negatively correlated with the scores of Ego strength and GA F scales and positively correlated with PSE and life events scores. Meanwhile life events scores were positively correlated with the PSE total scores. Resistance to therapy and longer duration of illness were found to be associated with younger age of onset, more stressful life events, weaker Ego strength, severe or border line psychotic symptoms and lowered level of psychological and social functioning