The American Psychiatric Association (APA) has updated its Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including with new information specifically addressed to individuals in the European Economic Area. As described in the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, this website utilizes cookies, including for the purpose of offering an optimal online experience and services tailored to your preferences.

Please read the entire Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. By closing this message, browsing this website, continuing the navigation, or otherwise continuing to use the APA's websites, you confirm that you understand and accept the terms of the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, including the utilization of cookies.

×
No Access

Diagnosing dissociative disorders in The Netherlands: a pilot study with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Dissociative Disorders

Published Online:https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.148.4.458

OBJECTIVE: To improve the ability to diagnose dissociative disorders in The Netherlands, the authors conducted a study using a Dutch version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R Dissociative Disorders (SCID-D) with additional questions on childhood trauma and symptoms of borderline and histrionic personality disorders. METHOD: All interviews were audiotaped or videotaped and rated by two investigators separately. Forty-four patients (42 women and two men) participated in the study. Most of the patients had been referred for evaluation of dissociative symptoms; five had participated in a nationwide survey on incest. None of the patients had ever received a diagnosis of a dissociative disorder, and none had evidence of organic brain syndrome or mental retardation. All patients were in active treatment; 23 were being treated in an outpatient psychiatric service, 13 in an inpatient psychiatric service, and eight in private practice. Thirty-two patients had been psychiatric inpatients at least once. RESULTS: Four diagnostic groups of patients were identified: two with dissociative disorders (12 patients with multiple personality disorder and 11 with dissociative disorder not otherwise specified), one with DSM-III-R personality disorders (11 patients), and one without dissociative or personality disorders (10 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Dissociative disorders are clearly not only an American phenomenon. The diagnosis can be made outside of the United States if the symptoms are sought. The SCID-D proved to be a promising instrument.

Access content

To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.