Behavior Therapy in Dissociative Convulsion Disorder

Abstract

Objective:To determine the efficacy and usefulness of Behavior therapy in conversion disorder. Methods:It was a randomized control trial conducted at Psychiatry Unit, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan on patients (N=18) suffering from conversion disorder (only pseudo seizures). Fifteen sessions of behavior therapy were administered to experimental group over period of 2 and half months. Results:Statistically significant difference was found between the mean number of fits for experimental group (M=6.4 ± 3.7) and control group mean (M=27.8 ± 9.2) t (12) 6.0251, p < 0.0001 on the last follow up session. Conclusion:Behavior therapy can be successfully used for treating conversion disorder (pseudo seizures) by targeting inappropriate mal adaptive behavior replacing it with appropriate adaptive behavior by using suitable reinforcement techniques.