Psychology Facts

▼ Conversion Disorder ▼

》Conversion disorder is a mental condition in which a person has blindness, paralysis, or other nervous system (neurologic) symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation. the past, these events were often referred to as "hysterical blindness" or "hysterical paralysis."

》Conversion disorder is a relatively rare mental illness, with 2 to 5 out of 100,000 people reporting symptoms per year. It is categorized as a type of somatic symptom disorder, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

》Conversion disorder may also be a psychological reaction to a highly stressful event or emotional trauma. For example, a soldier who subconsciously wishes to avoid firing a gun may develop paralysis in their hand.

》Symptoms of conversion disorder can be about any neurological deficit imaginable, including:

Abnormal walking or tremors

Blindness or double vision

Deafness or problems hearing

Disturbances in coordination

Episode of unresponsiveness

Loss of balance

Loss of the sense of smell (anosmia)

Loss of touch (anesthesia)

Loss of voice (aphonia)

Numbness or loss of the sensation of touch

Seizures or convulsions

Slurred speech or inability to speak

Temporary blindness or double vision

Trouble swallowing or feelings of "a lump" in your throat

Weakness or paralysis

》The DSM-5 offers several specific criteria for diagnosing conversion disorder, including:

There must be at least one symptom of sensory or motor impairment.

Symptoms are not caused by a neurological condition, physical disease, or substance use.

Symptoms are associated with significant
distress.

Symptoms are not better explained by another physical or psychological condition.

》Risk factors of conversion disorder include:

Being female (Women have a higher risk of developing the disorder.)

Being highly conscientious, hard-working, compulsive and a perfectionist

Having a family member with conversion disorder (People with a first-degree female relative—sister, mother, or daughter—with conversion disorder are more likely to develop symptoms than females in the general population.)

Having a mental health condition, including mood or anxiety disorders, dissociative identity disorder (formerly known as multiple personality disorder) or other personality disorders

Having maladaptive personality traits

Having a neurological disease that causes similar symptoms (such as non-epileptic seizures in people that have epilepsy)

History of physical or sexual abuse and neglect as a child

Research also suggests that people with conversion disorder also tend to have abnormal emotional regulation.

》Conversation disorder is not a lifelong disorder. If you or someone you love is experiencing severe or lingering symptoms of conversion disorder, treatment may be required and will depend on your individual symptoms.

》Most common treatments, include:

Occupational or physical therapy

Counseling

Hypnosis

Antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs