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Dissociative Disorders in Medical Settings

  • Complex Medical-Psychiatric Issues (MB Riba, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Despite the challenges of conducting research on dissociation and the dissociative disorders, our understanding has grown greatly over the past three decades, including our knowledge of the often overlooked sensorimotor manifestations of dissociation, more commonly referred to as somatoform dissociation. This article will first review the definitions and presentations of dissociation in general along with recent research on the concept of somatoform dissociation. Then, each of the dissociative disorders and conversion disorder will be discussed in further detail as well as how they might present in a medical setting. Current recommendations for diagnosis and treatment will also be provided.

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Acknowledgments

Kathleen E. Bickel, MD, MPhil for her careful review and editing of this manuscript.

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Edward MacPhee declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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  1. White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, VT, 05009-0001, USA

    Edward MacPhee

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Correspondence to Edward MacPhee.

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MacPhee, E. Dissociative Disorders in Medical Settings. Curr Psychiatry Rep 15, 398 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-013-0398-8

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