title: Psychogenic speech disorder--a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conversion (dissociative) disorder is a psychiatric disorder in which somatic symptoms or deficits are present in the absence of a definable organic cause. The etiology of this disorder is not yet fully understood. The most characteristic presentations are: pseudosensory syndromes, pseudoseizures, psychogenic movement disorders and pseudoparalysis. Psychogenic speech disorder is a rare form of conversion (dissociative) disorder. The aim of present case study is to complete the knowledge on this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  The article presents a case of a fifty year old woman who developed psychogenic disorder of speech after being degraded to a lower position at work. After excluding organic background of observed symptoms, the diagnosis of conversion (dissociative) disorder was stated and adequate therapy was implemented, within the capabilities of the Ward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Partial remission of presented symptoms was achieved as a result of psychopharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Before stating the diagnosis of conversion (dissociative) disorder, possible somatic causes of the observed symptoms should be excluded. Special attention should be drawn to the importance of studying the psychological and family context of this case and the patient's difficulty to understand and accept that produced symptoms might be triggered by a psychogenic factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Independent Public Clinical Hospital No. 7 of Silesian Medical University, Ziołowa 45-47, Katowice, Poland, kozmin@mp.pl.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Koźmin-Burzyńska
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bratek
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zawada
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krysta
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Krupka-Matuszczyk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology*; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008875:Middle Aged; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*