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

Am J Psychiatry. 1991 Apr;148(4):458-62. doi: 10.1176/ajp.148.4.458.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Borderline Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Cross-Cultural Comparison
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Dissociative Disorders / classification
  • Dissociative Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Dissociative Disorders / psychology
  • Dissociative Identity Disorder / diagnosis
  • Female
  • Histrionic Personality Disorder / diagnosis
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Pilot Projects
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales*
  • Psychometrics
  • Terminology as Topic
  • United States