What is a conversion disorder psychology?

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.

How do you manage conversion disorder?

What are the treatments for conversion disorder?

1. Psychological therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
2. Hypnosis.
3. Stress management training to make symptoms more manageable.
4. Physical therapy for weak limbs, walking problems, other movement problems.
5. Occupational therapy.
6. Speech therapy.

How do you explain conversion disorder to a patient?

Conversion disorder is a condition in which you have physical symptoms of a health problem but no injury or illness to explain them. For example, imagine taking a hard fall off your bike and then not being able to move your arm. But your arm isn’t injured. Neither is any other part of your body.

What are the causes of conversion disorder in psychology?

What are the causes? Conversion disorder is normally caused by some sort of extreme stress, emotional trauma, or depression. It’s your body’s response to something you perceive as a threat. The physical symptoms may come about as a way to try and resolve or relieve whatever is causing the extreme mental stress.

What is an example of conversion disorder?

Common examples of conversion symptoms include blindness, diplopia, paralysis, dystonia, psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), anesthesia, aphonia, amnesia, dementia, unresponsiveness, swallowing difficulties, motor tics, hallucinations, pseudocyesis and difficulty walking.

What is an example of a conversion disorder?

Is conversion disorder an anxiety disorder?

It is common for a person with conversion disorder to also have a co-occurring mental health condition. This might include a mood disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatic disorders, and personality disorders.

How to diagnose conversion disorder?

There’s no test to diagnose conversion disorder. Your doctor will start by ruling out other physical, mental, or neurological causes of your symptoms. They may ask you if you’ve had any recent stressful events. The American Psychiatric Association has set standards for symptoms to be diagnosed as conversion disorder:

What is the best treatment for conversion disorder?

There is no single best treatment for a conversion disorder. A physician is likely to be supportive and reassuring and will adjust treatment goals to the specific situation. Most physicians will explain the limits of what physical examination and testing was able to show about the symptoms.

What medications are used for conversion disorder?

There is no specific medication to treat conversion disorder. Psychotherapy treatments are most often used, including: Occupational or physical therapy. Counseling. Hypnosis. Antidepressants or antipsychotic drugs.

How is hypnosis used to treat conversion disorder?

Hypnosis is sometimes used to alleviate the symptoms of conversion disorder. This style of treatment may involve focusing on a pleasant image to distract or direct a person’s thoughts away from symptoms. Hypnosis techniques should be only be administered by a professional who specializes in hypnosis.