ABSTRACT
We present a 33-year-old male patient with cerebellar ataxia. He was first considered to have a psychiatric conversion disorder but finally found to have chromosomal deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 involving Ca2⁺-dependent activator protein for secretion (CADPS) gene. When a targeted gene sequencing using next-generation sequencing panel and chromosomal microarray analysis were performed, an 8.6 Mb deletion within chromosome 7q31.2-31.32 was discovered. Deletion of CADPS gene in the 7q31.2-31.32 was suggested as the causative factor of cerebellar ataxia. Functional levels evaluated by Berg balance scale and modified Barthel index were improved via comprehensive rehabilitation including balance training and a dopamine agonist medication. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of chromosomal deletion in 7q31.2-31.32 including CADPS gene detected in patients with cerebellar ataxia.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Male , Cerebellar Ataxia , Chromosome Disorders , Conversion Disorder , Dopamine Agonists , Microarray Analysis , RehabilitationABSTRACT
RESUMEN Los trastornos neurológicos funcionales, antes llamados trastornos conversivos, son un problema clínico frecuente en los servicios de neurología y psiquiatría y en atención primaria. En las nuevas categorías diagnósticas se hace énfasis en las características positivas necesarias para el diagnóstico de este trastorno. Se realizó una revisión narrativa de la literatura médica para determinar las diferencias y las ventajas clínicas que la actual clasificación aporta al diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los trastornos neurológicos funcionales. Se identifican las diferencias conceptuales entre los trastornos conversivos y los trastornos neurológicos funcionales y las implicaciones de estos cambios en el abordaje clínico. La nueva propuesta diagnóstica para los trastornos neurológicos funcionales brinda la oportunidad de transformar un diagnóstico realizado a partir del descarte de otras afecciones en otro en el que se verifica la presencia de signos neurológicos que apuntan al trastorno y se pueden ensenar al paciente, y a partir de ellos, plantear estrategias de tratamiento.
ABSTRACT Functional neurological disorders, formerly referred to as conversion disorders, are a frequent clinical problem in neurology, psychiatry and primary care departments. In the new diagnostic categories, emphasis is placed on the positive characteristics necessary to diagnose this disorder. A narrative review of the scientific medical literature related to the subject was performed in order to determine the differences and advantages that the new classification of functional neurological disorders gives to doctors and patients. Historical, diagnostic, clinical and treatment concepts related to functional neurological disorders are reviewed. The conceptual differences between conversion disorders and functional neurological disorders and the implications of these changes in the clinical approach are identified. The new proposed diagnosis for functional neurological disorders provides the opportunity to transform a diagnosis made by ruling out other pathologies to a diagnosis where the presence of neurological signs suggestive of the disorder are verified and can be taught to the patient, and based on them, treatment strategies posed. © 2017 Asociacion Colombiana de Psiquiatria. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Conversion Disorder , Nervous System Diseases , Pathology , Primary Health Care , Therapeutics , Classification , NeurologyABSTRACT
Stiff-person syndrome is characterized by persistent muscle spasms, involving agonist and antagonist muscles simultaneously, starting in the lower limbs and trunk. It tends to occur in the fourth to sixth decade of life, presenting with intermittent spasms that later become continuous and usually painful. Minor sensory stimuli, such as noise or light touch, precipitate severe spasms. Spasms do not occur during sleep and only rarely involve cranial muscles. We present a case that for two years was diagnosed and treated as a conversion disorder associated with depression. After two years she was admitted to another hospital with an unmistakable picture of stiff-person syndrome with hypertrophy and rigidity of lower limb muscles, compatible electrophysiology and positive anti-GAD antibodies. She had autoimmune hypothyroidism, that should have raised the suspicion of stiff-person syndrome earlier. She responded to intravenous immunoglobulin and mycophenolate mofetil and and to tranquilizers that have muscle relaxant properties.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Middle Aged , Stiff-Person Syndrome/diagnosis , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Diagnostic Errors , Treatment Outcome , Stiff-Person Syndrome/pathology , Stiff-Person Syndrome/drug therapy , Conversion Disorder/pathology , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
ABSTRACT CONTEXT: The aim of the present clinical review was to illustrate the diagnostic difficulty associated with psychotic experiences during adolescence, in the light of the multiplicity of circumstances interplaying during this period. It was also intended to illustrate the observation that not all hallucinations occur in the context of a declared psychotic disorder. Case Report: The patient was a 16-year-old adolescent girl who came to the Emergency Department of Coimbra Pediatric Hospital. On admission, she displayed mood and sensory perception disorders, with a bizarre gait abnormality. A diagnosis of conversion disorder was finally suggested, in accordance with the International Classification of Diseases, 10th edition. CONCLUSIONS: Conversive hallucinations are rare in the psychiatric literature. This diagnostic hypothesis only gained consistency over a long period of follow-up within a child and adolescent psychiatry outpatient service, which was fundamental for appropriate diagnostic clarification. The authors discuss psychotic experiences that can arise from a neurotic setting and share the reasoning that was constructed in relation to the differential diagnosis. The psychogenesis and phenomenology of this young patient's conversive hallucinations and the therapeutic strategies adopted over the course of the follow-up are also discussed.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adolescent , Psychotic Disorders/diagnosis , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Hallucinations/diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Diagnosis, DifferentialABSTRACT
RESUMEN Antecedentes: El trastorno conversivo es un reto para los clínicos por los vacíos conceptuales en lo que respecta a la patogenia y cómo confluyen otras entidades psiquiátricas y la falta de aproximaciones a las vivencias tanto de pacientes como de familiares con la enfermedad. Objetivo: Describir los modelos explicativos (ME) que utilizan los cuidadores de niños y adolescentes con trastorno conversivo que consultan al Hospital Pediátrico de La Misericordia. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo con una muestra por conveniencia de 10 casos atendidos entre mayo de 2014 y abril de 2015. La herramienta usada fue una entrevista en profundidad con padres y/o cuidadores. Resultados: Los cuidadores tienen diversas creencias en torno al origen de los síntomas, y consideran principalmente enfermedad, factores mágicos místicos y factores psicosociales. Se explican los síntomas en cada caso de varias maneras, y no se encontró una relación directa entre estas creencias, el patrón de síntomas y los comportamientos de búsqueda de ayuda. La presentación sintomática es polimorfa y genera interferencia principalmente en la actividad escolar de los pacientes. La atención médica se percibe como pertinente y la atención psiquiátrica, como insuficiente. Entre los itinerarios terapéuticos, se describen consultas con diversos agentes, además de la atención médica, incluidas medicinas alternativas y enfoques mágico-religiosos. Conclusiones: Los ME en trastorno conversivo son variados, pero incluyen con frecuencia elementos mágico-religiosos y factores psicosociales. Las creencias subyacentes no se relacionan directamente con la búsqueda de ayuda u otras variables.
ABSTRACT Background: Conversion disorder is a challenge for clinicians due to the conceptual gaps as regards its pathogenesis, the way in which it converges with other psychiatric disorders, and the lack of approaches to the experiences of both patients and family members with the disease. Objective: To describe Explanatory Models (EM) offered to caregivers of paediatric patients with conversion disorder who attended the Hospital de la Misericordia. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of 10 patients who attended the Hospital de La Misericordia, ¿Bogotá? between May 2014 and April 2015. The tool used was an in-depth interview applied to parents and/or caregivers. Results: Caregivers have different beliefs about the origin of the symptoms, especially considering sickness, magical-mystical factors, and psychosocial factors. The symptoms are explained in each case in various ways and there is no direct relationship between these beliefs, the pattern of symptoms, and help-seeking behaviours. Symptomatic presentation is polymorphous and mainly interferes in the patient's school activities. The medical care is perceived as relevant, and psychiatric care as insufficient. Among the therapeutic routes, consultations with various agents are described, including medical care, alternative medicine, and magical-religious approaches. Conclusions: EMs in conversion disorder are varied, but often include magical-religious elements and psychosocial factors. The underlying beliefs are not directly related to help-seeking behaviours or other variables.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Adult , Therapeutics , Caregivers , Conversion Disorder , Psychology , Referral and Consultation , Stress, Psychological , Complementary Therapies , Homeopathic Pathogenesy , Emergency Medical System , Medical Care , Help-Seeking Behavior , Mental DisordersABSTRACT
La conciencia: característica esencial de esta dimensión de autorepresentación es la interpretación de ciertos estados internos del propio cuerpo como identidad mental y somática. La neurociencia de la conciencia sugiere fuertemente que un nivel de sincronización y unión entre varias partes del cerebro hasta cierto punto refleja la accesibilidad de varios contenidos mentales. Janet (1889) propuso el término désagrégation para referirse a los fenómenos de «no integración¼ y lo situó en el terreno de la anormalidad. Trastornos disociativos: en estos trastornos hay pérdida parcial o completa de la integración normal entre ciertos recuerdos del pasado, la conciencia de la propia identidad, ciertas sensaciones inmediatas y el control de los movimientos corporales (conversión)
The conscience: essential feature of this dimension of self-representation is the interpretation of certain internal states of the body itself as mental and somatic identity. The neuroscience of consciousness strongly suggests that a level of synchronization and union between various parts of the brain to some extent reflects the accessibility of various mental contents. Janet (1889) proposed the term désagrégation to refer to the phenomena of "non integration" and placed it in the terrain of abnormality. Dissociative disorders: in these disorders there is partial or complete loss of normal integration between certain memories of the past, awareness of one's own identity, certain immediate sensations and control of bodily movements (conversion)
Subject(s)
Humans , Conversion Disorder/classification , Conversion Disorder/history , Dissociative Disorders/classification , Dissociative Disorders/history , Conversion Disorder/epidemiology , Dissociative Disorders/epidemiology , HysteriaABSTRACT
La conciencia: característica esencial de esta dimensión de autorepresentación es la interpretación de ciertos estados internos del propio cuerpo como identidad mental y somática. La neurociencia de la conciencia sugiere fuertemente que un nivel de sincronización y unión entre varias partes del cerebro hasta cierto punto refleja la accesibilidad de varios contenidos mentales. Janet (1889) propuso el término désagrégation para referirse a los fenómenos de «no integración¼ y lo situó en el terreno de la anormalidad. Trastornos disociativos: en estos trastornos hay pérdida parcial o completa de la integración normal entre ciertos recuerdos del pasado, la conciencia de la propia identidad, ciertas sensaciones inmediatas y el control de los movimientos corporales (conversión)
The conscience: essential feature of this dimension of self-representation is the interpretation of certain internal states of the body itself as mental and somatic identity. The neuroscience of consciousness strongly suggests that a level of synchronization and union between various parts of the brain to some extent reflects the accessibility of various mental contents. Janet (1889) proposed the term désagrégation to refer to the phenomena of "non integration" and placed it in the terrain of abnormality. Dissociative disorders: in these disorders there is partial or complete loss of normal integration between certain memories of the past, awareness of one's own identity, certain immediate sensations and control of bodily movements (conversion)
Subject(s)
Humans , Conversion Disorder/classification , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Conversion Disorder/epidemiology , Dissociative Disorders/classification , Dissociative Disorders/diagnosis , Dissociative Disorders/epidemiology , HysteriaABSTRACT
Abstract Background and objective Patients undergoing spinal surgeries may develop postoperative visual loss. We present a case of total bilateral visual loss in a patient who, despite having clinical and surgical risk factors for organic lesion, evolved with visual disturbance due to conversion disorder. Case report A male patient, 39 years old, 71 kg, 1.72 m, ASA I, admitted to undergo fusion and discectomy at L4-L5 and L5-S1. Venoclysis, cardioscopy, oximetry, NIBP; induction with remifentanil, propofol and rocuronium; intubation with ETT (8.0 mm) followed by capnography and urinary catheterization for diuresis. Maintenance with full target-controlled intravenous anesthesia. During fixation and laminectomy, the patient developed severe bleeding and hypovolemic shock. After 30 min, hemostasis and hemodynamic stability was achieved with infusion of norepinephrine, volume expansion, and blood products. In the ICU, the patient developed mental confusion, weakness in the limbs, and bilateral visual loss. It was not possible to identify clinical, laboratory or image findings of organic lesion. He evolved with episodes of anxiety, emotional lability, and language impairment; the hypothesis of conversion syndrome with visual component was raised after psychiatric evaluation. The patient had complete resolution of symptoms after visual education and introduction of low doses of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and benzodiazepine. Other symptoms also regressed, and the patient was discharged 12 days after surgery. After 60 days, the patient had no more symptoms. Conclusions Conversion disorders may have different signs and symptoms of non-organic origin,including visual component. It is noteworthy that the occurrence of this type of visual dysfunc-tion in the postoperative period of spinal surgery is a rare event and should be remembered asa differential diagnosis.
Resumo Justificativa e objetivo Pacientes submetidos a procedimentos cirúrgicos espinhais podem evoluir com perda visual pós-operatória. Apresentamos quadro de perda visual bilateral total em paciente que, apesar de apresentar fatores de risco clínicos e cirúrgicos para lesão orgânica, evoluiu com distúrbio visual conversivo. Relato de caso Masculino, 39 anos; 71 kg; 1,72 m; ASA I, admitido para realização de artrodese e discectomia em L4-L5 e L5-S1. Venóclise, cardioscopia, oximetria, PANI; indução com remifentanil, propofol e rocurônio; intubação com TOT 8,0 mm seguida por capnografia e diurese por sondagem vesical. Manutenção em anestesia venosa total alvo-controlada. Durante fixação e laminectomia, evoluiu com importante sangramento e choque hipovolêmico. Após 30 minutos obteve-se hemostasia e estabilidade hemodinâmica com infusão de noradrenalina, expansão volêmica e hemoderivados. Na UTI, evoluiu com confusão mental, fraqueza em membros e perda visual bilateral. Não foi possível identificar achados clínicos, laboratoriais ou de imagem para lesão orgânica. Evoluiu com episódios de ansiedade, labilidade emocional e distúrbio de linguagem; foi aventada hipótese de síndrome conversiva com componente visual após avaliação psiquiátrica. Apresentou melhoria total de sintomas visuais após educação e introdução de baixas doses de antipsicótico, antidepressivo e benzodiazepínico. Houve regressão dos demais sintomas com alta no décimo segundo dia pós-operatório. Encontrava-se assintomático após 60 dias. Conclusões Distúrbios conversivos podem apresentar diversos sinais e sintomas de origem nãoorgânica, incluindo componente visual. Destaca-se que a ocorrência desse tipo de disfunçãovisual no pós-operatório de cirurgias espinhais é evento raro e deve ser lembrado como diag-nóstico diferencial.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Postoperative Complications/etiology , Spinal Fusion , Blindness/etiology , Diskectomy , Conversion Disorder/complications , LaminectomyABSTRACT
Neurologic symptoms that develop unconsciously and are incompatible with known pathophysiologic mechanisms or anatomic pathways belong to Conversion Disorder (CD). CD diagnosis is based on the clinical history and the exclusion of physical disorders causing significant distress or social and occupational impairment. In a subgroup of CD, called functional weakness (FW), symptoms affecting limbs may be persistent, thus causing a permanent or transient loss of limb function. Physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, hypnotherapy and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) have been proposed as treatment strategies for FW-CD. Herein, we report a 30 year-old male, presenting with lower limb functional paraparesis, having obtained positive, objectively, and stable effects from a prolonged r-TMS protocol associated to a multidisciplinary approach, including psychological and sexuological counseling, and monitored by gait analysis. We postulate that our rTMS protocol, combined with a multidisciplinary approach may be the proper treatment strategy to improve FW-CD.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Brain , Conversion Disorder , Counseling , Diagnosis , Drug Therapy , Extremities , Gait , Hypnosis , Lower Extremity , Neurologic Manifestations , Paraparesis , Transcranial Magnetic StimulationABSTRACT
Abstract Background and objectives This case report describes the rare occurrence of paraplegia caused by conversion disorder in a woman who received general anesthesia for breast surgery. Case report A 46-year-old healthy woman received general anesthesia for excision of a left breast fibroepithelial lesion. In the post-anesthesia care unit, she reported bilateral loss of both sensation and motor function below the knees. Physical signs and symptoms did not correlate with any anatomical or neurological patterns; imaging revealed no abnormalities. Psychiatric consultation was performed wherein familial stressor circumstances were identified, leading to diagnosis and management of conversion disorder. Conclusion Conversion disorder is characterized by alteration of physical function due to expression of an underlying psychological ailment. Its diagnosis requires thorough evaluation including appropriate workup to exclude organic causes. The meshing together of anesthesiology and psychiatry - as demonstrated by this case report - offers an opportunity to highlight important information pertaining to the definition, diagnosis, and management of conversion disorder as it may be encountered in the postanesthesia recovery period.
Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Descrever a rara ocorrência de paraplegia causada por distúrbio conversivo em uma mulher que recebeu anestesia geral para a cirurgia de mama. Relato de caso Mulher saudável de 46 anos recebeu anestesia geral para excisão de uma lesão fibroepitelial na mama esquerda. Na sala de recuperação pós-anestesia, a paciente relatou perda bilateral de sensibilidade e motricidade abaixo dos joelhos. Os sinais físicos e sintomas não se correlacionavam com qualquer padrão anatômico ou neurológico; exame de imagem não revelou anormalidades. Uma consulta psiquiátrica foi feita e constatou circunstâncias familiares estressantes, o que levou ao diagnóstico e ao tratamento de transtorno conversivo. Conclusão O transtorno conversivo é caracterizado por alteração da função física devido à expressão de uma doença psicológica subjacente. Seu diagnóstico requer uma avaliação minuciosa, incluindo tratamento adequado para excluir causas orgânicas. O entrosamento de anestesiologia e psiquiatria, como demonstrado neste relato de caso, oferece uma oportunidade para destacar as informações importantes relativas à definição, ao diagnóstico e ao manejo do transtorno conversivo, pois esse transtorno pode ser encontrado no período de recuperação pós-anestesia.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Paraplegia/etiology , Conversion Disorder/complications , Anesthesia, General , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Todo diagnóstico de un problema descubierto lleva implícito un proceso de análisis y síntesis. Todavía no se ha logrado encontrar una clara definición de la histeria, precisamente por su "psicoplasticidad", es decir, por la infinidad de expresiones clínicas en que se puede presentar. Además su eliminación de los códigos diagnósticos la fragmentó en diversos síndromes o conjuntos sintomáticos. El psicoanálisis, asociado al concepto, fue desperfilado por la psiquiatría americana con el advenimiento de la investigación biológica sobre trastornos mentales y nuevos descubrimientos como los sistemas de neurotransmisores. Quedaron atrás los criterios de Feighner, que abarcaban los diagnósticos de neurosis de ansiedad, neurosis obsesivo-compulsiva, neurosis fóbica, histeria. Se analiza clasificaciones CIE y DSM, en las que se puede rastrear la histeria. Palabras claves: histeria, neurosis, diagnóstico, CIE-10.
Every diagnosis of a discovered problem implies a process of analysis and synthesis. A clear definition of hysteria has not yet been found, precisely because of its "psychoplasticity", that is, by the infinity of clinical expressions in which it can be presented. In addition its elimination of the diagnostic codes fragmented it in diverse syndromes or symptomatic sets. Psychoanalysis, associated with the concept, was unburied by American psychiatry with the advent of biological research on mental disorders and new discoveries such as neurotransmitter systems. Feighner's criteria, which included diagnoses of anxiety neurosis, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, phobic neurosis and hysteria, were left behind. We analyze CIE and DSM classifications, in which hysteria can be traced.
Subject(s)
Humans , Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Hysteria/diagnosis , Psychoanalysis , International Classification of Diseases , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Dissociative Disorders/diagnosis , Hysteria/classification , Neurotic Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Introdução: A Síndrome do Sotaque Estrangeiro (SSE) é uma alteração da parte central do sistema nervoso, cuja manifestação principal é uma afasia que mimetiza foneticamente o sotaque de determinado idioma. Objetivos: Abordar a manifestação dessa síndrome secundária à causa psicogênica. Casuística e Métodos:Este estudo tratará do relato de caso de Síndrome do Sotaque Estrangeiro psicogênica e irá discutir os contrastes com a Síndrome do Sotaque Estrangeiro clássica. Resultados:A paciente deste relato procurou atendimento de saúde em virtude de cefaleia e se apresentou durante o atendimento com sotaque caracteristicamente hispânico, negando qualquer contato prévio com o idioma. Conclusão: Após inúmeros exames e investigação clínica detalhada, a paciente teve como diagnóstico final SSE psicogênica, secundária a Transtorno Dissociativo Misto, entidade pouco descrita e relatada em arquivos e estudos médicos.
Introduction: The Foreign Accent Syndrome (FAS) is a disturbance at thecentral nervous systemexpressed as an aphasia that imitate phonetically the accent of a determined language. Objective:Approach the secondary manifestation of a psychiatry disorder. Patients and Methods: This study will report a case of a Psychogenicand will discuss the contrasts between the classic Foreign Accent Syndrome. Results:the patient of this study sought medicalattentiondue to a headache. During consultation, the patient started speaking with a Hispanic accent. She denied any previous contact with this idiom. Conclusion: After countlesslab exams and a thorough clinic investigation, the patient was diagnosed with psychogenicForeign Accent Syndromesecondary to Dissociative Mixed Disorder, a little known disease andrarely reported in medical studies.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Conversion Disorder/drug therapy , Language , Mental Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Paradoxical vocal cord motion or vocal cord dysfunction is a descriptive term for an inappropriate adduction of the vocal cords during respiration, which can cause respiratory obstruction and stridor. It is associated with psychiatric conditions in the great majority of cases. We report a 23 year-old high performance female athlete, referred for a recurrent bilateral paralysis of the vocal cords, with a history of four intensive care unit admissions for severe dyspnea and stridor, which were treated several times with intubation and with tracheostomy on two occasions. Myasthenia gravis was suspected and she was treated with pyridostigmine and prednisone. She was discharged but despite the treatment, she presented new episodes of stridor and was readmitted six months later. This time the pharmacological treatment was suspended. The neurological study disclosed a normal brain magnetic resonance, normal cerebrospinal fluid analysis and a normal electromyography. A conversion disorder was suspected and the patient was successfully treated with psychotherapy.
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Young Adult , Respiratory Sounds/etiology , Conversion Disorder/complications , Dyspnea/etiology , Respiratory Sounds/diagnosis , Unnecessary Procedures , Conversion Disorder/diagnosis , Conversion Disorder/psychology , Dyspnea/diagnosis , Delayed Diagnosis , Vocal Cord Dysfunction/diagnosis , Vocal Cord Dysfunction/etiologyABSTRACT
El término somatización está muy extendido en el campo de la clínica psicológica y psiquiátrica. Desde el punto de vista nosográfico la somatización y la conversión se encuentran conceptualizadas en el Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de las Enfermedades mentales (DSM-IV-TR) dentro de los Trastornos Somatomorfos. Los trastornos Somatomorfos (TS) agrupan diversos cuadros con una característica en común: la presencia de síntomas somáticos vinculados a un malestar psíquico y deterioro significativo, presentándose frecuentemente en niños y adolescentes. Los síntomas se corresponden con dolencias simples hasta cuadros funcionales invalidantes no explicados por una condición médica general, consumo de sustancias, simulación u otra patología mental. La prevalencia de los TS en la adolescencia ha aumentado en las últimas décadas, representando un desafío clínico y terapéutico para el médico por su dificultad clínica y general desconocimiento (AU)
The term somatization is a broad concept in the field of clinical psychology and psychiatry. From the nosographic point of view, somatization and conversion are conceptualized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IVTR) within the somatoform disorders (SD) characterized by the presence of somatic symptoms associated with psychic pain and significant deterioration, often seen in children and adolescents. The symptoms range from simple discomfort to invalidating functional impairment unexplained by the general medical condition, substance abuse, and simulation or any other mental disorder. Prevalence of SD in adolescence has increased over the past decades, becoming a therapeutic and clinical challenge due to clinical difficulties and lack of unawareness of the disorde (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adolescent , Conversion Disorder , Patient Care Team , Psychology, Adolescent , Somatoform DisordersABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: As the literature for the treatment of functional (psychogenic) movement disorders (FMD) is sparse, we assessed clinical outcomes in patients with FMD who underwent treatment with psychodynamic psychotherapy (PDP). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the data of patients with FMD who were referred for PDP from 2008−2014 at Emory University Medical Center was performed. RESULTS: Thirty patients were included, mean age at presentation was 50 years (SD 13.9) and majority were female (27/30). Most common movement disorder was involuntary shaking/jerky movements (50%) and tremor (43%). Mean duration of symptoms was 3.2 years and mean number of PDP visits was 4.9. PDP lead to good outcomes in 10, modest in 8, and poor in 9. Three patients lost to follow up. Mean duration of symptoms between two groups (good vs. poor) was not statistically significant (p = 0.11), mean number of PDP visits showed a trend towards significance (p = 0.053). In all cases of good outcomes precipitants of the movement disorder were identified and a majority (60%) was receptive of the diagnosis and had good insight. CONCLUSION: PDP lead to improvement in 60% of the patients which is encouraging as the treatment is challenging. This study supports heterogeneous causes of FMD including varied roles of past/recent events and demonstrates importance of psychological approaches such as PDP. Treatment with PDP should be considered in some patients with FMD but predicting who will respond remains a challenge. Further long term prospective studies with large sample size and placebo control are needed.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Academic Medical Centers , Conversion Disorder , Diagnosis , Lost to Follow-Up , Movement Disorders , Prospective Studies , Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic , Retrospective Studies , Sample Size , TremorABSTRACT
Um olhar sobre a evolução da psicanálise revela que o corpo sempre foi central para o funcionamento e para o desenvolvimento da mente. A histeria e sua característica definidora, a conversão, são sensíveis às correntes culturais e, em lugares como o Irã, a gama limitada de opções sociais e interpessoais para as mulheres torna tal solução autoplástica ainda possível. Este artigo foca o tratamento psicanalítico de uma jovem mulher iraniana que apresenta conversão histérica e mutismo seletivo. A paciente apresenta-se em uma cadeira de rodas e muda, após um coma prolongado que se sucedeu a uma dramática rejeição por parte um parceiro amoroso. A sua apresentação trouxe à mente ideias de depressão essencial e de narcisismo negativo. O tratamento foi adaptado a partir da Escola Psicossomática de Paris, sendo conduzido por uma psicoterapeuta treinada em psicodinâmica no Irã, supervisionada nos Estados Unidos por uma psicanalista de origens iranianas. No decurso das primeiras dez sessões, a paciente voltou a falar e a se movimentar. O processamento mental da transferência foi encorajado e, até a vigésima terceira sessão, a paciente caminhava. Abordamos a paciente como uma feminista não declarada, cujos sintomas imitavam modos culturalmente aceitáveis de expressar a sua angústia. O nosso objetivo foi recuperar a linguagem perdida que pudesse conectar-lhe a mente ao corpo(AU)
A glance at the evolution of psychoanalysis reveals body to have always been central to the function and development of the mind. Hysteria, and its defining characteristic conversion are responsive to cultural currents and in places like Iran, the limited range of social and interpersonal options for women make such an autoplastic solution still likely. This article details psychoanalytic treatment of a young woman presenting with hysterical conversion and selective mutism in Iran. The patient, who was wheelchair-bound and mute presented after an extended coma following a dramatic rejection by a romantic partner. Her presentation brought to mind notions of essential depression and negative narcissism. Treatment was adapted from the Paris Psychosomatic School and was carried out by a psychodynamically trained female psychotherapist in Iran, supervised by an Iranian- born female psychoanalyst in the United States. Within the first 10 sessions, the patient regained speech and movement. Mentally processing the transference was encouraged and by session-23, the patient walked. We approached the patient as a closet feminist, one whose symptoms mimicked culturally acceptable ways of expressing her distress. Our aim was to recover the lost language that could connect her mind and body(AU)
El cuerpo petrificado: un caso de conversión histérica y mutismo selectivo Una revisión de la evolución del psicoanálisis revela que, para esta teoría, el cuerpo siempre fue central para el funcionamiento y para el desarrollo de la mente. La histeria y su conversión característica y definidora son sensibles a las corrientes culturales y, en lugares como Irán, la gama limitada de opciones sociales e interpersonales para las mujeres hace que aún sea posible dicha solución autoplástica. Este artículo se centra en el tratamiento psicoanalítico de una joven mujer iraní que presentaba conversión histérica y mutismo selectivo. La paciente, en una silla de ruedas y muda, se presentó tras un coma prolongado que sobrevino después del rechazo dramático dirigido a la joven por una pareja amorosa. Su presentación puso sobre el tapete nociones de depresión esencial y de narcisismo negativo. El tratamiento se adaptó de acuerdo a los preceptos de la Escuela Psicosomática de París y lo condujo una psicoterapeuta en psicodinámica en Irán, supervisionada en Estados Unidos por una psicoanalista de origen iraní. En el transcurso de las primeras diez sesiones, la paciente volvió a hablar y a moverse. Se estimuló el procesamiento mental de la transferencia y en la vigésimo tercera sesión la paciente caminaba. Abordamos a la paciente como una feminista no declarada cuyos síntomas imitaban modos culturalmente aceptables de expresar su angustia. Nuestro objetivo fue recuperar el lenguaje perdido que pudiera conectar su mente al cuerpo(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Conversion Disorder , Mutism , Psychoanalytic Therapy , Mental Disorders/therapyABSTRACT
Introducción: Los trastornos somatomorfos (TS) y conversivos (TC) han aumentado su incidencia durante las dos últimas décadas en niños y adolescentes, aunque ambos son habitualmente subdiagnosticados. Objetivo: Efectuar una puesta al día de la evidencia sobre TS y TC en niños y adolescentes. Método: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica mediante las bases de datos Medline/PubMed, SciELO y textos especializados. Resultados: Existe una alta intercurrencia con trastornos afectivos y ansiosos y se han identificado algunos factores de riesgo, especialmente mayor vulnerabilidad al estrés, disfunción familiar, sobreprotección parental y limitada mentalización de los síntomas físicos (alexitimia), que también perpetuan la sintomatología. Desde la perspectiva etiopatogénica se han invocado hipótesis psicodinámicas, psicosomáticas, traumático-ambientales y biológicas. Los pacientes con TS y TC frecuentemente son mujeres, presentan rasgos más introvertidos de personalidad, más eventos vitales estresantes y défictis ejecutivos. Las convulsiones psicógenas no epilépticas se relacionan con más comorbilidades psiquiátricas y peor pronóstico. Las psicoterapias cognitivo-conductual y la hipnoterapia-psicodinámica combinadas con fármacos inhibidores de la recaptura de serotonina han demostrado ser eficaces en el tratamiento. Conclusiones: Los TS y TC en poblaciones infanto juveniles se observan en contextos médicos y psiquiátricos. Su reconocimiento es difícil debido a su etiología multifactorial, la falta de consenso diagnóstico yla escasa experiencia clínica, implicando un verdadero desafío terapéutico, por lo que es indispensable realizar futuras investigaciones en este tópico. Su manejo en la atención primaria parece apropiado, pero en casos más complejos es necesaria su derivación al especialista.
Background: Somatoform (SD) and conversion (CD) disorders have increased their incidence during the last two decades in children and adolescents, although both are currently underdiagnosed. Objective: To review the evidence on SD and CD in children and adolescents. Method: A review ofspecialised textbooks and the available literature in Medline/PubMed and SciELO was made. Results: There is a high intercurrence with affective and anxiety disorders and some riskfactors have been identified, especially higher vulnerability to stress, family disfunction, parental overprotection, and limited mentalization of physical symptoms (alexithymia), which at the same time, perpetuate the symptomatology. From an ethiopathogenicperspective, psychodynamic, psychosomatic, traumatic-environmental and biological hypothesis have been invoked. Patients with SD and CD are frequently females, show more introversive personality features, more stressful life events and executive deficits. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are related with more psychiatric co-morbidities and worse outcome. Cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy and psychodynamic-hypnotherapy combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been effective. Conclusions: SD and CD in child and adolescent populations have been observed in medical and psychiatric contexts. Their recognition is difficult due to their multifactorial ethiology, the lack of diagnosis consensus and the scarce clinical experience, involving a true therapeutic challenge; therefore, it is imperative to carry out future researches on this issue. Their management in primary care seems suitable, but in more complex cases the referral to the specialist is necessary.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Anxiety Disorders , Seizures , Somatoform Disorders , Conversion DisorderABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The author tried to find out reasons why and how hysteria(and conversion disorder) patient numbers, which were so prevalent even a few decades ago, have decreased and the phenotype of symptoms have changed. METHODS: The number of visiting patients diagnosed with conversion disorder and their phenotype of symptoms were investigated through chart reviews in a psychiatric department of a University hospital for the last 12 years. Additionally, the characteristics of conversion disorder patients visiting the emergency room for last 2 years were also reviewed. Those results were compared with previous research results even if it seemed to be an indirect comparisons. The research relied on Briquet P. and Charcot JM's established factors of the vicissitudes of hysteria(and conversion disorder) which has been the framework for more than one hundred and fifty years since hysteria has been investigated. RESULTS: The author found decreased numbers and changes of the phenotype of the hysteria patients(and conversion disorder) over the last several decades. The decreased numbers and changes of the symptoms of those seemed to be partly due to several issues. These issues include the development of the diagnostic techniques to identify organic causes of hysteria, repeated changes to the symptom descriptions and diagnostic classification, changes of the brain nervous functions in response to negative emotions, and the influence of human evolution. CONCLUSIONS: The author proposed that the evolutionary brain discord reaction theory explains the causes of disappearance of and changes to symptoms of hysteria(conversion disorder). Most patients with hysteria(conversion disorder) have been diagnosed in the neurological department. For providing more appropriate treatment and minimizing physical disabilities to those patients, psychiatrists should have a major role in cooperating not only with primary care physicians but with neurologists. The term 'hysteria' which had been used long ago should be revived and used as a term to describe diseases such as somatic symptom disorder, functional neurological symptoms, somatization, and somatoform disorders, all of which represent almost the same vague concept as hysteria.
Subject(s)
Humans , Brain , Classification , Conversion Disorder , Emergency Service, Hospital , Hysteria , Phenotype , Physicians, Primary Care , Psychiatry , Somatoform DisordersABSTRACT
Introducción: Hay una amplia experiencia en adultos que no es extrapolable a los pacientes pediátricos. Se describe en la literatura que el pronóstico de los pequeños es mejor, pero esto cambia cuando incluimos variables tales como comorbilidades, diagnóstico tardío y una imagen social de enfermedad neurológica que es muy convincente. El cuidado y la atención de estos pacientes generan muchos interrogantes. Objetivo: Revisar la literatura médica sobre las características clínicas, el diagnóstico, las comorbilidades y el tratamiento de este trastorno. Métodos:Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en MEDLINE y PubMed de las palabras clave "trastorno conversivo", "pseudocrisis", "tratamiento", "clínica", "niños" ("conversion disorder" OR hysteria OR hysterical) (children OR child OR childhood OR pediatric OR paediatric). Se incluyó en esta revisión el material de mayor relevancia encontrado. Conclusiones: El trastorno conversivo es un diagnóstico impreciso, frecuente en los servicios de pediatría de alta complejidad. En la búsqueda no se encontró consenso sobre cómo actuar en la atención de los pacientes luego del diagnóstico inicial. No es contundente que se cronifique ni es convincente la evidencia para afirmar que los factores de comorbilidad son lo que se mantiene en el tiempo. Es claro que la experiencia médica no dispone de una historia natural de este trastorno en niños y adolescentes. En cambio, se sabe que se trata de un padecimiento complejo, sobre el cual se tiene experiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento del estado agudo, pero no en su atención a largo plazo. Se propone que se estudie con detalle a cada paciente para definir el diagnóstico psiquiátrico y su tratamiento.
Background: Conversion disorder is diagnosed late, by exclusion and with a high risk of complications. There is a wide experience in adults that is not extrapolated to paediatric patients. According to the literature, the prognosis is better in children, but this changes when other variables such are included, such as comorbidities, late diagnosis and a very convincing social image of the neurological disease. Objective: To review the medical literature on the clinical features, diagnosis, comorbidities and treatment of this disorder. Methods: A literature research was performed on Medline and Pubmed, the terms used were "conversion disorder", pseudoseizures, treatment, clinic, children ("conversion disorder" OR hysteria OR hysterical) (child OR children OR childhood OR pediatric OR paediatric). The most relevant material found is included in this review. Conclusions: Conversion disorder is often an imprecise diagnosis in high complexity paediatric services. No consensus was found in the literature search on how to treat patients after the initial diagnosis. The evidence that it becomes chronic is not strong enough, just as the evidence is not convincing enough to argue that comorbidity factors are those maintained over time. Clearly, there is no medical experience of the natural history of this disorder in children and adolescents. It is only known is that it is a complex condition, on which there is experience only in the diagnosis and treatment of the acute state, but not so in the long-term care. It is proposed that each patient is studied in detail in order to define the psychiatric diagnosis and its treatment.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child , Adolescent , Conversion Disorder , Mental Disorders , Prognosis , Therapeutics , Comorbidity , Diagnosis , Delayed Diagnosis , Hysteria , LiteratureABSTRACT
Background: the occurrence of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) is estimated to be between 2 to 33 cases in every 100,000 inhabitants. The number of patients with PNES reaches 19% of those treated as epileptics. Patients with PNES are treated as if they had intractable epilepsy, with unsatisfactory results even after medication treatment is used to its maximum. The aim of this study is to present the effects of individual psychoanalytical treatment in patients with PNES, assessing its impact in the evolution of the clinical picture and its association with sex, time of disease, social, psychological and professional harm, as well as going through with treatment. Methods: The case base was composed of 37 patients with PNES. The diagnosis was reached with video-EEG monitoring. Psychoanalytical treatment was carried out through 12 months of weekly sessions timed for around 50-minutes each, in a total of 48 individual sessions. Results: This study found a high rate of success in the treatment of PNES patients. 29.7% (n=11) of patients had cessation or cure of symptoms and 51.4% (n=19) had a decrease in the number of episodes. There is an association between cessation or decrease in the number of episodes and sex (p<0.01), religion (p<0.01) and concluding treatment (p<0.01). Conclusion: Individual psychoanalytical treatment applied to patients with PNES is considered effective and can be an essential form of assistance for the reduction or cessation of episodes. .
Introdução: estima-se que o número de casos de pacientes com crises não epilépticas psicogênicas (CNEP) seja de 2 a 33 por 100 mil habitantes. O índice de CNEP corresponde ainda a, aproximadamente, 19% dos pacientes tratados como epilépticos. Os pacientes com CNEP são tratados como portadores de epilepsia refratária, chegando ao limite máximo do tratamento medicamentoso e sem a obtenção de resultados satisfatórios. Objetivo: relatar os efeitos do tratamento psicanalítico individual em pacientes com CNEP de forma a avaliar a evolução do quadro clínico de CNEP e verificar sua associação com gênero, tempo de crise, prejuízos sociais, afetivos e profissionais, bem como término do tratamento. Métodos: a casuística foi composta por 37 pacientes com diagnóstico de CNEP feito por meio da monitoração por vídeo-EEG. Foram realizadas sessões de tratamento psicanalítico: atendimento clínico individual com frequência semanal, com duração aproximada de 50 minutos e duração total de 48 sessões em 12 meses. Resultados: este estudo constatou elevado índice de sucesso no tratamento dos pacientes com CNEP: 29,7% (n = 11) de cessação/cura dos sintomas e 51,4% (n = 19) de redução das crises convulsivas. Foi constatada associação entre cessar ou reduzir as crises e gênero (p<0,01), religião (p<0,01) e término do tratamento (p<0,01). Conclusão: este estudo apontou eficácia do tratamento psicanalítico individual realizado com pacientes com CNEP, podendo ser considerada uma forma de assistência essencial para que haja decréscimo ou cessação das crises. .