Abstract
Little is known about the prevalence of dissociative disorders in children. Identification of atypical presentations of dissociative disorder in children maybe a challenge, and could lead to misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. Here we present an unusual example of a child with grief and dissociative symptoms, following the loss of a pet dog. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljpsyc.v5i2.7585 SL J Psychiatry 2014; 5(2) 32-34
Highlights
Little is known about the prevalence of dissociative disorders in children
Psychogenic cough with pathological grief, and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome were considered as differential diagnosis
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome was considered as a differential diagnosis, since patients may present with respiratory tics, which appear similar to a cough
Summary
The most probable diagnosis in this child was dissociative disorder with pathological grief. Psychogenic cough with pathological grief, and Gilles de la Tourette syndrome were considered as differential diagnosis. Gilles de la Tourette syndrome was considered as a differential diagnosis, since patients may present with respiratory tics, which appear similar to a cough. Respiratory tics in Tourette syndrome may mimic a ‘barking cough’ It is extremely rare and is described as the barking cough of puberty [4]. To our knowledge childhood grief associated with dissociative features after the loss of a pet, has not been described previously in the medical literature. A 13-year old girl developed barking vocalisation and shaking movements for four weeks after a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract She was diagnosed to be suffering from a dissociative disorder and recovered with treatment [7]. If the child is able to express grief about the lost pet, and shows a desire for a new pet, the child could be offered another pet
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