Dissociative mutism, tetraparesis and the role of unidentified psychotraum. The case of Iskander H.

Abstract

The article presents a unique clinical case of a twenty-year-old patient, Iskander, whose clinical picture of the disease combined mutism and functional tetraparesis. The disease developed acutely, manifested itself with a “panic attack” and subsequently throughout the year the condition remained unchanged – he could not move independently (only in a wheelchair), there was no speech. All attempts to identify traumatic events or traumatic experiences have failed. Based on a review of the literature, the article analyzes the possibility of the formation of dissociative (functional) disorders without connection with psychological tramatization. It is noted that, in accordance with modern scientific views, the relationship between dissociative disorders and mental trauma is not proven and obvious. However, it remains unclear – if not psychological trauma, then what in this case causes functional (dissociative, conversion) disorders?

Keywords

• dissociative disorders
• conversion disorders
• functional neurological disorders
• dissociative mutism
• functional tetraparesis
• psychological traumatic experience