Conversion disorder; childhood sexual abuse in patients, a descriptive study in in-patients of Tertiary Care psychiatric facility

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to find out association and pattern of childhood sexual abuse in patients presenting with conversion disorder. A descriptive study. The study was conducted in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Bahawal Victoria Hospital and Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur from June, 2011 to December, 2011. The sample consisted of 60 Female in-patients with Conversion Disorder by purposive sampling. They were interviewed and results were analysed from the entries in a semi structured Performa. Out of 60 patients, 34[57%] reported sexually abused in childhood and 26[43%] not abused. There were 19[32%] patients reported uncomfortable sexual talk, sexual touching, 9[15%] reported attempted intercourse which was successful and 6[10%] reported attempted for intercourse but failed in their aim. 14[23%] patients abused by their relatives, 5[8%] by Neighbours and strangers, 3[5%] by their health caregivers, boyfriends and class fellows and 1[2%] by teachers. This study shows a positive association between severe sexual abuse [Uncomfortable talk, sexual touching, penetration or attempted penetration] in childhood and Conversion Disorder in adult life