Saddiqua Aamir.
Stressful life events in the onset of dissociative (conversion) disorders.
J Pak Psych Soc Jan ;2(2):65-8.

Dissociative (conversion) disorders, previously known as hysteria, are quite common in our clinical practice despite the fact that its incidence has been decreasing in western countries. In countries like Pakistan, the attitudes towards mental illness are still biased and the socio-cultural inhibitions can be so strong that they prevent an individual from seeking help for emotional and psychological disorders. It is possible that in our culture, physical symptoms are more acceptable and patients expressing their complaints/distress in the form of dissociative (conversion) disorders are more likely to obtain medical help/ consultation. This cultural acceptance of the symptoms is an important factor that determines mode of reactions towards the stress. This probably is the reason why hysteria is a disorder that one commonly comes across in a psychiatric practice in Pakistan. This is a review article.

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