A Computer Assisted Derivation of a Screening Interview for Hysteria

Experience of pain in rheumatoid arthritis an empirical evaluation of the contribution of developmental psychosocial stress

“…An additional finding which deserves mention is the lack of significant associations between any of the three dependent variables in the present study and a history of functional disturbances or modelling. This is particularly remarkable since both may frequently be found in conversion, and pain is one of the frequent symptoms of conversion (16,22). However, these results strongly support the notion that diagnosis of conversion should be carefully based upon positive criteria ( 16).…”

“…This includes: (i ) evaluation of previous functional disturbances (21,22) (Table 1; items 1-10); (ii) premorbid (including childhood and adolescence) history of trauma or significant illness, probably leading to hospitalization, with the focus on possible modelling (e.g. individuals may discover that suffering can bring rewards in the form of attention or love, so this expectation may become an essential part of subsequent illness behaviour) ( Table 1; items 11-14); (iii) family history, again focusing on possible modelling based on complaints experienced by significant others (Table 1; items 15-23 j, psychological problems or addiction of parents (items [24][25][26][27]; (iv) the patient's relationship with his or her parents, and the structure of family relationships, focusing on factors considered to be indicative of pain-prone behaviour ( 3 , 6,7,8,21 ) (Table 2; items 1-20).…”

Abnormal illness behaviour in young women in a primary care setting: is Briquet's Syndrome a useful category?

“…In addition, the wider associations of the Syndrome were also present: poor health of relatives and difficulties in personal functioning. However, only two of these cases were positive on their screening interview for Briquet's Syndrome (Woodruff et al 1973). It seems likely from this that the Syndrome is unduly restrictive and that a far wider group of patients show not only the abnormal illness behaviour usually associated with Briquet's Syndrome but also the other features.…”

“…The top 17 cases from each age group were selected as 'cases'. A random sample of" 17 patients was selected from the rest of each strata to act as 'controls', (ii) In the rest of the case material, a modified version of the screening instrument for Briquet's Syndrome (Woodruff et al 1973) was applied to each set of notes to identify possible cases. This screening interview is designed in a step-wise fashion, producing eligible and ineligible patients for diagnosis at different stages, depending on their combination of symptoms.…”

“…(6) The 51 high AFCR cases and their controls were then approached for an interview at home on the following topics: (i) Present psychiatric illness and somatic symptoms, using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) 60-item version (Goldberg & Hillier, 1979). (ii) Briquet's Syndrome status, using the screening interview (Woodruff et al 1973). (iii) Past and present psychosocial problems in the index case and her first-degree relatives.…”