OBJECTIVE: To help clarify the complex association between childhood abuse and adult psychopathology, the authors examined the relationship among abuse, Briquet's syndrome (somatization disorder), and dissociative symptoms. METHOD: Ninety-nine female psychiatric clinic outpatients with a history of somatic complaints were assessed for Briquet's syndrome, dissociative symptoms, adult and childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, and childhood emotional abuse. RESULTS: Women with high dissociation scores and many somatic symptoms were more likely to report abuse than were subjects with low dissociation scores or with few somatic complaints. CONCLUSIONS: Briquet's syndrome, dissociation, and abuse are significantly associated. Awareness of this association may have a significant effect on the treatment of psychiatric patients.
OBJECTIVE: To help clarify the complex association between childhood abuse and adult psychopathology, the authors examined the relationship among abuse, Briquet's syndrome (somatization disorder), and dissociative symptoms. METHOD: Ninety-nine female psychiatric clinic outpatients with a history of somatic complaints were assessed for Briquet's syndrome, dissociative symptoms, adult and childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, and childhood emotional abuse. RESULTS:Women with high dissociation scores and many somatic symptoms were more likely to report abuse than were subjects with low dissociation scores or with few somatic complaints. CONCLUSIONS:Briquet's syndrome, dissociation, and abuse are significantly associated. Awareness of this association may have a significant effect on the treatment of psychiatricpatients.
Authors: Evangelia Saleptsi; Dana Bichescu; Brigitte Rockstroh; Frank Neuner; Margarete Schauer; Karl Studer; Klaus Hoffmann; Thomas Elbert Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2004-11-26 Impact factor: 3.630