Briquet's syndrome, dissociation, and abuse.

OBJECTIVE

To help clarify the complex association between childhood abuse and adult psychopathology, the authors examined the relationship among abuse, Briquet's syndrome (somatization disorder), and dissociative symptoms.

METHOD

Ninety-nine female psychiatric clinic outpatients with a history of somatic complaints were assessed for Briquet's syndrome, dissociative symptoms, adult and childhood sexual abuse, childhood physical abuse, and childhood emotional abuse.

RESULTS

Women with high dissociation scores and many somatic symptoms were more likely to report abuse than were subjects with low dissociation scores or with few somatic complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

Briquet's syndrome, dissociation, and abuse are significantly associated. Awareness of this association may have a significant effect on the treatment of psychiatric patients.