What is conversion disorder

Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Updated by: Fred K. Editorial team. Conversion disorder. Conversion disorder symptoms may occur because of a psychological conflict. People are at risk of conversion disorder if they also have: A medical illness A dissociative disorder escape from reality that is not on purpose A personality disorder inability to manage feelings and behaviors that are expected in certain social situations People who have conversion disorder are not making up their symptoms in order to obtain shelter, for example malingering.

Symptoms of a conversion disorder include the loss of one or more bodily functions, such as: Blindness Inability to speak Numbness Paralysis Common signs of conversion disorder include: A debilitating symptom that begins suddenly History of a psychological problem that gets better after the symptom appears Lack of concern that usually occurs with a severe symptom.

Exams and Tests. Talk therapy and stress management training may help reduce symptoms. Outlook Prognosis. Conversion Disorders Pediatric Conversion Disorder Conversion Disorder in Emergency Medicine The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition. PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Conversion disorder. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic. Have a question? References References. Conversion disorder. Conversion disorders. Medscape Reference. Vermeulen M and Willems MH. Tijdschrift Voor Psychiatrie. Evoked potentials and regional cerebral blood flow changes in conversion disorder: a case report and review.

Turkish Journal of Psychiatry. Spring ; 19 1 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Owens C and Dein S. Conversion disorder: the modern hysteria. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. Dimsdale JE. Merck Manual. Do you know of a review article? Share this content:. Close Copy Link. You May Be Interested In.

How to Find a Disease Specialist. Tips for the Undiagnosed. While the exact cause of conversion disorder is unknown, researchers believe it occurs in response to stressful situations or trauma.

It is thought that conversion disorder is a physical response to mental, physical or psychological trauma. It is sometimes referred to as functional neurologic disorder. Symptoms include shaking, paralysis, or double vision. One example is feeling uncontrollably shaky after a traumatic event, such as witnessing a car crash, even if there is no physical reason to be shaking.

The exact cause, however, varies from person to person. While researchers have speculated that the cause is related to stressful events, the precise medical reason is still unknown. Symptoms of conversion disorder vary between individuals and on the type of neuralgic disorder a person has.

These criteria include:. A doctor may also suggest some other tests to rule out other medical conditions. These tests include:. Anyone experiencing symptoms of conversion disorder should seek immediate medical attention, as the symptoms may be caused by an underlying medical condition. In conversion disorder, physical symptoms that resemble those of a nervous system neurologic disorder develop. The symptoms are commonly triggered by mental factors such as conflicts or other stresses.

People may complain that an arm or leg is paralyzed or that they have lost their sense of touch, sight, or hearing. Many physical examinations and tests are usually done to make sure symptoms do not result from a physical disorder. Reassurance from a supportive, trusted doctor can help, as can hypnosis Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy is a type of mind-body medicine.

In hypnotherapy hypnosis , people are guided into an advanced state of relaxation and heightened attention. Hypnotized people become absorbed in As a result, many mental health disorders can now be treated nearly as successfully as physical disorders.

Most treatment The American Psychiatric Association recently changed the name of this condition to functional neurological symptom disorder. Conversion disorder is thought to be caused by mental factors, such as stress and conflict, which people with this disorder experience as convert into physical symptoms. Although conversion disorder tends to develop during late childhood to early adulthood, it may appear at any age.

The disorder appears to be more common among women. The symptoms of conversion disorder—such as paralysis of an arm or leg or loss of sensation in a part of the body—suggest nervous system dysfunction.