Conversion Disorder

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Conversion Disorder |

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Sara L. Pfeifer |

3/7/2014 |

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Conversion Disorder

Description:

Conversion disorder, or functional neurological symptom disorder, is a physical manifestation of psychological stress. The condition is due to a mental or emotional crisis and presents itself physically. Although there is usually no physical cause, the physical effects on the body are very real.

History/Risk Factors:

Some of the risk factors for this disorder include recent emotional trauma or significant stress, history of mental health problems, other neurological diseases such as epilepsy, family member with the disorder and history of physical or sexual abuse as a child.

Demographic:

Women have a higher risk of developing conversion disorder than men.

Symptom:

Symptoms can include muscle weakness and/or paralysis, tremors, loss of balance, seizures or convulsions, episodes of unresponsiveness. Symptoms may also affect the senses with numbness, speech problems, vision issues and hearing.

Testing:

There are no standard tests to check for conversion disorder. Because symptoms can mask other serious health problems, test are ran to rule out other causes. These tests include physical exam, x-rays to rule out injury or other neurological condition and an EEG to detect the electrical activity in the brain to rule out other seizure causing conditions.

Body Function:

Depending on where in the body the physical manifestation occurs determines how this disorder affects normal body function. Muscle weakness and/or paralysis can hinder the patient’s mobility. Symptoms can also present as blindness, deafness and inability to speak. If left untreated, symptoms can be debilitating.

Treatment:

Psychotherapy and anti-anxiety medications to treat the underlying mental/emotional problem can improve symptoms of conversion disorder. Physical therapy may prevent physical complications if paralysis exists.

Research:

Transcranial magnetic...