Table of contents:
- What is conversion disorder according to DSM and ICD?
- Signs and symptoms of conversion disorder
- Difference between conversion and somatization disorder
- Difference between dissociative and conversion disorder
- Causes of conversion disorder
- Treatment of conversion disorder
Conversion disorder, formerly known as hysteria or conversion hysteria, is a mental condition that is characterized mainly by suffering from physical symptoms (motor or sensory) whose origin cannot be explained or resolved with a study or with a physical analysis. for this reason, it is difficult to diagnose these patients. These symptoms usually appear after having experienced a traumatic event or as a consequence of suffering from other mental disorders and their psychological explanation is believed to be related to an inability to resolve and face intrapsychic internal conflicts that, as a consequence, manifest themselves in physical form. In addition, its symptoms can range from paralysis of a limb, seizures to speech and swallowing disorders,making it a dangerous disorder for the health of those who suffer from it. It is for this reason that, in this Psychology-Online article, we will tell youwhat exactly is conversion disorder, its signs, symptoms and treatment.
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- Signs and symptoms of conversion disorder
- Difference between conversion and somatization disorder
- Difference between dissociative and conversion disorder
- Causes of conversion disorder
- Treatment of conversion disorder
What is conversion disorder according to DSM and ICD?
The conversion disorder, is a specific form that is classified within somatoform disorders or disorders of somatic symptoms, which affects the central nervous system voluntary. This disorder is characterized by the appearance of symptoms that affect motor or sensory functions and that suggest a neurological or medical disease.
The symptom is not produced intentionally or simulated and causes significant discomfort or deterioration in social, occupational, or other important areas of the patient's life.
It is a disorder that appears more frequently in women than in men and the appearance tends to be in adolescents and young adults.
Signs and symptoms of conversion disorder
Next, we detail the most common symptoms in patients who suffer a conversion crisis:
- Paralysis of a limb of the body, usually of an arm or leg.
- Loss of sensation in a part of the body.
- Swallowing difficulties.
- Speech difficulties.
- Lack or difficulty of coordination and balance.
- Loss of a sense, such as blindness or deafness.
- Tingling or tingling in any part of the body.
- Convulsive episodes
It is very important to note that the symptoms tend to be brief and involuntary, that is, the person who suffers from it does not act consciously or fake them. Conversion disorder can appear in a specific way, with a single episode throughout life or it can be repeated sporadically.
Difference between conversion and somatization disorder
These two disorders are within the same DSM-V classification, somatic symptom disorders and related disorders. Although both have in common that they are unconscious physical expressions of a conflict or an internal psychological problem, they are two different disorders that can sometimes be confused or not know exactly how to make a differential diagnosis.
The somatization disorder characterized by physical symptoms that cause discomfort and pain and are persistent over time, to the contrary of conversion disorder, these tend to be shorter. In addition, in somatization, the recurring thoughts in relation to the severity of the symptoms and as a consequence, the anxiety that they cause, are very important characteristics when differentiating them.
In conversion disorder, these thoughts are not present and it is characterized by a loss or change in physical functioning, such as immobility of a part of the body or a temporary loss of speech or hearing, among other symptoms.
If you want to know more about what somatization is, in this article we explain the causes and types of somatization.
Difference between dissociative and conversion disorder
We can find some similarities between these two disorders, but we have to clarify that they are two independent disorders that differ from each other for certain reasons.
The dissociative disorders involve a disconnection, loss of contact with reality, lack of continuity between thoughts, which appear as reaction have suffered severe trauma. These patients, faced with this very painful situation with great emotional impact, repress these memories using resources such as amnesia or, in other cases, creating various alternative personalities.
On the other hand, in conversion disorder, although the cause of the appearance of both disorders is usually similar, the symptoms are mainly physical, unlike the dissociative, which are mostly psychological or mental.
Causes of conversion disorder
As mentioned above, the main cause of the appearance of the symptoms of this disorder is the fact of having experienced a traumatic or very stressful event. The defense against these situations of great emotional impact, is formed unconsciously and manifests itself symptomatically as a specific neurological affectation. In addition, it has also been observed that patients with depression, personality disorders and dissociative disorders are more likely to develop this disorder. It can also appear in apparently healthy people due to being suffering from high levels of stress, having a family history with a relative with conversion disorder, having suffered sexual and / or physical abuseduring childhood or another very traumatic event in the past or having received a very overprotective education. In this article we talk about parenting styles and their consequences.
Treatment of conversion disorder
There are cases in which patients recover naturally and spontaneously, symptoms begin to improve and everything returns to normal. Even so, a great majority of cases of conversion crisis require different treatments so that the symptoms disappear. Next, we will detail the most used treatments in conversion disorder:
- Psychological treatment: it is very effective as it can help to adopt new ways of managing and perceiving stress and avoiding new episodes. In addition, through psychotherapy, work can be done with the main cause or internal reason that is causing the physical symptoms.
- Pharmacological treatment: different studies have concluded that antidepressant drugs tend to be very effective with patients with a conversion disorder, they are basically used to improve and speed up the recovery of those who suffer from it.
- Rehabilitation treatment: physical therapy turns out to be very important in certain patients to improve and regain mobility in the limb that has been affected.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Conversion disorder: signs, symptoms and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Clinical Psychology.
Bibliography- American Psychiatric Association. Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5 . 5th ed. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013: 181-183.