Childhood experiences and personality traits in patients with motor conversion symptoms.
A total of 30 patients with newly diagnosed motor conversion disorder were consecutively investigated by means of a Swedish self-rating inventory designed to assess perceived parental rearing practices (EMBU), and the Karolinska Scale of Personality (KSP). DSM Axis I and II psychopathology was assessed using a Structured Clinical Interview (SCID), and comparisons were made with 30 age- and sex-matched in-patients with motor symptoms due to a neurological disorder. Depression, the presence of a personality disorder and also poor schooling proved to be significantly associated with motor conversion disorder. The index patients perceived a high degree of parental rejection as well as low levels of affection and emotional warmth during childhood, but contrary to most previous studies, childhood physical and/or sexual abuse was not found to be associated with motor conversion disorder.
Binzer
M
M
Department of Neurology, Umeå University, Sweden.
Eisemann
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales