Impairment and classroom environment in adolescents with conversion disorder

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Conversion disorder has been found to be the most common neurotic disorder in children and adolescents. Yet, little attempt has been made to look at the school environment and pattern of impairment in conversion disorder, which may have a bearing on management of the same. OBJECTIVE: Aim of the study was to assess the magnitude and pattern of impairment and the classroom environment in adolescents with Conversion Disorder. METHODS: Thirty school going adolescents with Conversion Disorder, diagnosed as per DSM-IV-TR criteria, and thirty healthy matched controls, comprised the sample. Patients and controls were assessed by the Brief Impairment Scale (BIS) and Classroom Environment Scale (CES). RESULTS: The patient group had significantly higher mean total score on the BIS when compared to the control group. Impairment was also found to be significant in each of the subscales, namely; interpersonal, school/work and self fulfillment. When compared on the CES, the patient and the control group did not show any significant difference in the mean scores of the various dimensions of classroom environment. CONCLUSION: Conversion Disorder in adolescents is associated with impairment in various domains of life and these impairments should also be the focus of management and rehabilitation in such patients. © 2015, Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health. All right reserved.