Family Intervention with Dissociative Conversion Disorder: A Case Study

Abstract

Background: Dissociative conversion disorder is a somatic manifestation of mental distress in response to a psychological conflict or other stressors. Recent studies have focused on the importance of family therapeutic interventions to combat such mental distress. Method: By utilizing a case study method, an effort has been made to assess the impact of Family Therapy on a case of Dissociative Conversion Disorder. Structural family therapy used with the family was joining, structural mapping, restructuring and enactment. A total of 12 sessions were conducted with the client and the family members, which were twice every month. All these sessions occurred at the out-patient department of the Institute of Psychiatry. Results: Significant changes were noticed in the client and the family after twelve family therapy sessions wherein different family issues were treated. Conclusion: Structural family therapy emphasizes on a model that is effective and clearly defined. It is focused on restructuring the family by working on dysfunctional interactions and the role of Psychiatric Social Work is much emphasized in the current scenario.

Keywords: Family therapy intervention, dissociative conversion disorder, case study