1194 – Traumatic experiences and dissociative symptoms in schizophrenic inpatients

Abstract

Introduction There is emerging evidences that presence of dissociative symptoms could be a significant co morbid condition in a proportion of schizophrenic patients with a history of traumatic events. Aim The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of traumatic experiences and the intensity of co morbid dissociative symptoms in the course of schizophrenia. Method 80 inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia according to DSM IV and being treated in acute psychiatry clinics at Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology and Neurosurgery were enrolled to the study. Socio- demographic Data Form, Traumatic Experiences Check List, Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), Dissociative Disorder Interview Schedule were performed. Findings 39 of the patients (48.8%) were found to be exposed to traumatic events at least once in their childhood or adulthood. Significant positive correlation was found between the average DES scores and total number of traumas (r= 0,683; p Results The results of this investigation claim that the high scores of DES, independent of traumatic life experiences, may cause resistance to treatment in schizophrenic patients.