CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHILD INPATIENT POPULATION WITH HYSTERIA IN INDIA

Objective. This study examined the rate, correlates, and clinical outc ome of childhood hysteria in a sample of inpatients in India. For comp arison, the rate of this disorder among outpatients was computed. Meth od. Data were derived from case records of inpatient (n = 143) and out patient admissions (n = 640) during a 1-year interval at the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, South India. Results. The diagnosis of hysteria was made in 30.8% (n = 44) of the inpatient and 14.8% (n = 95 ) of the outpatient samples. The inpatients with hysteria were mostly postpubertal, their gender distribution was approximately even, and ps eudoseizure was the most frequent presentation. These inpatients had a brief duration of illness at admission and short-term outcome was gen erally positive. Conclusions. Children with hysterical symptoms form a notable proportion of cases in child guidance and psychiatry clinics in India. It could be that, in this culture, having a ''medical'' illn ess is one of the more acceptable means of seeking psychiatric help. T he use of a structured and intensive inpatient treatment package appea red to bring about rapid symptom remission. Some of the present findin gs could be the basis to. explore subtypes of childhood hysteria.