Conversion disorder: Symptoms and Treatments

Conversion Disorder is also known as Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, a psychological health problem that appears as physical symptoms. Your brain “converts” the impacts of a mental health issue into disturbances of your brain or nervous system, which leads to the occurrence of different symptoms. The symptoms are true, yet they don’t match any known brain diseases.

Think about, for instance, falling off a horse hard and then being unable to move your legs. Your arm, however, is unharmed. No other area of your body is either, yet you are unable to move it. Your body responds to the psychological and emotional pressure of your fall by paralyzing one of your arms. Although it may seem unusual, your symptoms are real and you can’t control them.

It’s crucial to understand that conversion disorder is a genuine psychological health issue. It’s not merely something someone has imagined or is thinking about. Even if it’s a mental health issue, the physical symptoms still exist. The symptoms of conversion disorder cannot be controlled by trying or thinking about it.

Depending on the area of the brain affected, conversion disorder symptoms might vary greatly. Among the most typical signs are:

• • • Most often, functional problems or disorders in your brain lead to seizures. Psychological Health Issues can trigger psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
    • With conversion disorder, there is a chance that the senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch will be affected. Examples include the inability to feel things touching your skin, hearing loss or numbness, double or tunnel vision, and hearing loss.
    • Pain is a common symptom of conversion disorder, sometimes present alone or in combination with other symptoms.
    • Unusual tremors, twitches, spasms, and tension in the muscles. All of them occur as a result of a disturbance in the way your brain commands your muscles, called Paroxysmal dystonia
    • Weakened or paralyzed muscle
    • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
    • Dizziness
    • Fainting or failing (syncope)
    • Chronic fatigue or low energy

A test cannot identify this disorder. Your physician will initially rule out any further physical, psychological, or neurological reasons for your symptoms. They might ask if you’ve had any stressful situations recently.

The following are required for a diagnosis of conversion disorder:

• • • You have no control over them, and they influence your senses or movement
    • Your symptoms cannot be explained by any other factor, such as a different medical condition or mental health problem
    • You have one or more symptoms that are connected to how your brain regulates your senses or movement.
    • Your life is disrupted by symptoms or problems, particularly in your work potential and relationships.
    • You are not making them

he recommended tests are heavily influenced by the symptoms you are experiencing. In general, neurological tests and diagnostic imaging are most likely. These consist of:

• • • Blood tests
    • Computerized tomography (CT) scan
    • Electroencephalogram (EEG)
    • Electromyogram
    • Evoked potentials test
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

The primary and most effective approach to treating conversion disorder is psychotherapy. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often the first recommended option, as it helps individuals identify and change unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to their symptoms. Hypnotherapy can also be particularly useful, especially when conversion disorder affects communication or sensory functioning. Group or family therapy offers additional support by allowing individuals to share experiences and learn from others facing similar challenges.

Alongside psychotherapy, several other treatments can support recovery. Physical therapy plays an important role in addressing the physical effects of conversion disorder, helping individuals regain function or learn ways to cope with ongoing symptoms. Medication may be prescribed when conversion disorder occurs alongside conditions such as anxiety or depression, helping to manage these co-occurring issues. Biofeedback is another helpful mind-body technique that teaches individuals to gain control over certain physical processes, ultimately improving both emotional and physical well-being.