We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Mental

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Conversion Disorder?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 20,956
Share

Conversion disorder is a rare psychological disorder brought on by intense stress. The patient manifests physical symptoms with no underlying physical cause, literally converting a psychological issue into a physical problem. True conversion disorder is rare, and it is treated with counseling and other psychiatric care designed to examine the root cause of the emotional upset which led to the outbreak of physical symptoms. Someone diagnosed with this condition is not faking it and may have repressed the mental conflict which led to the disorder so thoroughly that it takes some time to root it out.

Many mental health professions use a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders to diagnose a condition. The DSM sets out a series of conditions which must be met for an accurate diagnosis. According to the DSM, a patient with conversion disorder must meet several qualifications. The first is the manifestation of physical symptoms severe enough to require evaluation which cannot be explained through medical testing and examination. Common examples includes seizures which resemble epilepsy, difficulty with muscle control, paralysis, vision problems, dizziness, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The symptoms of conversion disorder often suggest a serious neurological or medical problem.

Once it has been established that the patient is not faking it, a psychiatric professional will look at the patient's past history to see if the patient has experienced an intense trauma which could lead to conversion disorder. The trauma typically precedes the onset of this disorder, although ongoing mental issues can exacerbate it. After the source of the trauma has been identified, the patient undergoes therapy to address the situation.

According to psychodynamic theory, conversion disorder arises from interactions between various aspects of the psyche and physical body. This includes conscious and unconscious thoughts, as both of these can heavily influence personality and human behavior. As with all mental health conditions requiring therapy, someone with conversion disorder may have to visit several doctors before finding one to work with. A therapist who offers psychodynamic therapy my be a good choice, as the therapy can integrate different treatment modalities, depending on the individual patient. The greater flexibility of psychodynamic therapy may help patients get at the root of the problem causing the conversion disorder more effectively.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon318246 — On Feb 06, 2013

I was finally diagnosed after three months of specialists, hospitalizations, and a battery of tests. My episodes left me unable to walk, with tremors, confusion, and trouble speaking. I was thought to have everything from guillian-barre to multiple sclerosis. I never imagined my anxiety and mental trauma could manifest in such a physical way. It's nice to know I'm not totally crazy.

By anon305060 — On Nov 24, 2012

I actually have true conversion disorder and it has done several different things. It is hard to explain but retriggers itself. Not a good situation to be in. The only thing that helps is talk therapy (intensive) and medication.

By Tufenkian925 — On Mar 01, 2011

I have heard historical examples of kings and figures in history "dying of sadness" as though their great grief was an immediate physical cause of death. I always rationalized these examples as having been indirect, with sadness causing some other issue such as a lack of eating or something which indirectly harmed a person due to their feelings. But conversion disorder shows that feelings can have a direct affect on the body.

By TrogJoe19 — On Feb 28, 2011

It is stunning to think that certain stress issues can be so intense that they can actually affect the chemical functioning of the physical body in a way that is generated from non-physical thoughts and feelings. Normally, you think it would be the other way around, with physical symptoms affecting the brain, but not in this case.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-conversion-disorder.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.