Conversion Disorder
The MSD Manual indicates that conversion disorder is a form of somatization that encompasses symptoms or neurological deficits that develop unconsciously and involuntarily and that affect motor or sensory function in general.
Conversion disorder, a form of somatization
This type of disorder, also called conversion hysteria, is more common in women than in men and became popular after being studied by the psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud.
Its main characteristic is the existence of a dissociation between sensory information and consciousness.
The symptoms derived from this type of mental condition are real, with serious neurological problems. However, they are not due to any underlying disease or pathophysiological process.
The causes that explain the appearance of the disorder are psychological, such as stressful situations or traumatic events that become real physical manifestations. In this way, an internal conflict of a psychological type, be it frustration, anger or pain, manifests itself neurologically.
This dissociation can affect consciousness, memories, self-identity, or body movements.
Symptoms
The presenting symptoms are usually deficits in motor and sensory function or alterations in consciousness.
Sometimes, serious symptoms such as paralysis or blindness can appear. Shaky movements, spasms, and seizures are very common.
Other recurring symptoms are:
- Aphonia.
- Deafness.
- Numbness.
- Difficulty to swallow.
- Loss of balance
- Lack of coordination.
- Paralysis of a limb.
- Tubular visual field (tunnel vision).
- Loss of sensation in any part of the body.
In most cases, conversion disorder appears abruptly, usually being related to the existence of a stressful or traumatic event.
Depending on the person affected, these episodes can be isolated and brief or occur chronically and continuously.
Diagnosis
The peculiarities of this disorder make its diagnosis a complicated task on many occasions. On the one hand, it is necessary to rule out the presence of other types of neuronal disorders or real diseases that may be causing the symptoms.
In this way, its diagnosis usually goes through a specialist in neurology. The specialist will seek to rule out these types of underlying abnormalities when performing certain tests or medical examinations.
On the other hand, another series of mental disorders should be ruled out, such as factitious disorder, in which the affected person pretends or self-causes symptoms in order to obtain medical attention.
In the case of conversion disorder, the physical symptoms that appear are real: the affected person does not fake them. However, its origin is somatic (of psychological origin).
Thus, in most cases it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis. In this, the rest of the possibilities should be ruled out and assess or look for possible conflicts experienced by the patient, which may explain the appearance of conversion disorder.
Treatment of conversion disorder
In the treatment of this type of condition, psychological care is essential. Talk therapy and help from a professional are very useful to help the patient understand their disorder and learn to overcome it.
One of the fundamental steps during treatment will be to identify the causes that have triggered the symptoms.
Once the traumatic situation or event that has caused the appearance of the disorder has been identified, the patient will be helped to accept it, overcome it and learn to deal with the associated stress.
In extreme cases, drugs can be given to help control the condition. This is very common when the disorder is related to the existence of other mental problems such as depression or anxiety.
On the other hand, the treatment of the physical symptoms that appear in this disorder may require physical therapy or occupational therapy, aimed at rehabilitating motor functions.
Another aspect that must be controlled is whether the affected person takes advantage of their condition.
In those cases in which the existence of this condition may bring some type of benefit, be it financial, care or otherwise, recovery may be delayed.
