Anum Farooq, Aasma Yousaf.
Childhood Trauma and Alexithymia in Patients with Conversion Disorder.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;26(7):606-10.

Objective: To determine the relationship between childhood trauma (physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect) and alexithymia in patients with conversion disorder, and to identify it as a predictor of alexithymia in conversion disorder. Study Design: An analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Multiple public sector hospitals in Lahore, from September 2012 to July 2013. Methodology: Eighty women with conversion disorder were recruited on the basis of DSM IV-TR diagnostic criteria checklist to screen conversion disorder. Childhood abuse interview to measure childhood trauma and Bermond Vorst Alexithymia Questionnaire, DSM-IV TR Dianostic Criteria Checklist, and Childhood Abuse Interview to assess alexithymia were used, respectively. Results: The mean age of the sample was 18 ±2.2 years. Thirty-six cases had a history of childhood trauma, physical abuse was the most reported trauma (f = 19, 23.8%) in their childhood. Patients with conversion disorder has a significant association with alexithymia (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that childhood sexual abuse could predict alexithymia (F= 7.05, p < 0.05). Among the alexithymia domain, childhood physical abuse significantly predicted the difficulty in verbalizing emotions among the abused patients (F= 6.40, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study highlighted childhood abuse and emotional pent up as an etiological factor of conversion disorder. Strategies should be devised to reduce this disorder among women in Pakistani society.

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