A Study of Clinical Profile and Stressors in Patients Presenting with Dissociative Disorder to a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Dissociative disorder is a condition characterized by disruption of the normal continuity and integration of consciousness, memory, identity, motor functioning, and behavior. The aim of the study was to study the various psychosocial factors that influence the dissociative episodes in patients. We also looked at the clinical profile and the relation between the type and levels of dissociation with levels of stress in the study sample. This descriptive, cross-sectional study with serial sampling had 50 participants who were diagnosed with dissociation as per the International Classification of Diseases-10 criteria. The study was conducted after obtaining clearance from the institutional ethics committee. Dissociative experience of the patients was measured using Severity of Dissociative Symptoms-Adult (Brief Dissociative Experiences Scale [DES-B]-Modified) and stress levels were measured using Presumptive Stressful Life Events Scale. The study showed that dissociation was more common among females from urban population, who were single and among students. Dissociative convulsions were found to be the most common type of dissociation in our culture. DES-B showed moderate-to-severe types of dissociative experience in the sample. In 46% of the participants, family conflicts acted as the most common stressor precipitating episodes. There was a psychodynamic connection/explanation between the perceived stress and the presenting complaint. This study highlights the common dissociations, stressors, and the difference seen among males and females. There is a need to understand the stressors of a patient presenting with dissociation for better psychological management.