Conversion disorder definition
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. In other words it is a rare condition in which your brain converts mental stress into physical symptoms:
For example
Common examples include blindness, paralysis, diplopia, dystonia, psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES), anesthesia, aphonia, amnesia, and dementia, and unresponsiveness.
Symptoms of the disorder
Conversion disorder symptoms most commonly look like issues involving your nervous system (Brain, spinal cord, or other nerves). These include:
- Weakness
- Paralysis of the arms or legs
- Seizures, sometimes with limited consciousness
- Difficulty swallowing
- A feeling of a lump in the throat
- Shakes and tremors
- Numbness
- Loss of smell or speech
Causes
Some sort of extreme stress, emotional trauma, or depression normally causes conversion disorder. It’s your body’s response to something you perceive as a threat. The physical symptoms may arise as a way to try to resolve or relieve the extreme mental stress.
Diagnostic features
In conversion disorder, there may be one or more symptoms of various types :
Motor symptoms Sensory symptoms Other symptoms
- Weakness Altered , reduced , or absent Reduced or absent
- Paralysis of skin sensation, vision , hearing speech volume
- Abnormal movement ( Aphonia)
- Such astremor, dystonic sensation of a lump in the throat
Neurotransmitters Involvement
Some neurotransmitters are involved in the disorder. However, glutamate is the main neurotransmitter associated with the sensation of pain.
Management Plan
- Psychological therapy, such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). CBT involves learning about the disorder, recognizing triggers and symptoms, and learning new ways to respond and control them.
- Hypnosis
- Stress management training to make symptoms more manageable
- Physical therapy for weak limbs, walking problems, and other movement problems.
- Occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Medication to treat medical conditions that may co-exist in patients affected with conversion disorder
