The brain is a complex organ that produces all kinds of physical and emotional effects on your body. Sometimes, emotional trauma or psychological stress can trigger physical symptoms. When this happens, your symptoms are real and tangible but may be difficult for others to recognize or understand. Show Physical symptoms that develop from psychological stress or emotional trauma have been called hysteria in the past but are now known as conversion disorder or functional neurological disorder (FND). This article will explain the basics behind this disorder, the symptoms you may experience, who may develop it more often, and how healthcare professionals treat it. Conversion disorder is a psychiatric disorder first described by Sigmund Freud more than a century ago. Also known as FND, conversion disorder develops when your nervous system can function typically but does not function correctly. The disorder involves psychological stress or emotional trauma converting into physical symptoms. It has become more accepted and understood in recent years because of functional imaging studies and other new testing tools. For people who have this disorder, there is no physical cause of symptoms. But rather, they experience a trigger that interrupts signals from the brain to different areas of the body. When these signals experience an interruption, physical symptoms like paralysis can temporarily appear and then disappear. Symptoms of conversion disorder can vary from person to person, appearing and resolving suddenly or lasting for years. The appearance of unexplained neurological symptoms usually leads to a diagnosis of conversion disorder. Some of the symptoms that people report with this disorder may include:
How long do symptoms last?How long symptoms last can be unique to your experience. Symptoms can come and go quickly or last for years. Researchers are currently unsure why some people have symptoms longer than others, but the degree of trauma or stress you experienced that triggered the symptoms may have something to do with it. Conversion disorder is, in a way, a treatment on its own for psychological or emotional stresses. A sort of protective mechanism, conversion disorder is thought to be your body’s way of helping you to dissociate or cope with difficult situations or events. Dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness, and other therapies that focus on recognizing and accepting the disorder are used most often and most effectively for treating conversion disorder. In a 2018 case report, cognitive and behavioral therapy that focused on tolerating stress, regulating emotions, and other coping skills decreased seizures by about 60%. The report also found that these treatments eliminated symptoms completely in about 30% of people who had seizures from conversion disorder. There are no specific medications to treat the disorder, but several therapies may help:
Depending on your triggering factors for conversion disorder, your healthcare professional may also suggest medications to treat conditions like anxiety and depression. Conversion disorder was described more than a century ago as a hysterical disorder in which psychological or emotional stress translated into physical symptoms ranging from fatigue to paralysis. Newer functional brain imaging tests helped identify conversion disorder as a true disorder, not just something that a person imagines. Since this disorder develops as a sort of protection mechanism to help you cope with past trauma or abuse, cognitive and behavioral therapies are usually most helpful as treatments. Your doctor may prescribe you medication for depression or anxiety or therapies to help with speech or movement difficulties. Conversion disorder is when a person experiences temporary physical symptoms, such as blindness or paralysis, that do not have a physical cause. While the exact cause of conversion disorder is unknown, researchers believe it occurs in response to stressful situations or trauma. In this article, learn about the common symptoms and treatment, as well as when to see a doctor.
It is thought that conversion disorder is a physical response to mental, physical or psychological trauma. It is sometimes referred to as functional neurologic disorder. Symptoms include shaking, paralysis, or double vision. One example is feeling uncontrollably shaky after a traumatic event, such as witnessing a car crash, even if there is no physical reason to be shaking. Triggers are typically:
Conversion disorder may also occur when there is no clear trigger. The exact cause, however, varies from person to person. While researchers have speculated that the cause is related to stressful events, the precise medical reason is still unknown. Some of the symptoms of conversion disorder typically include:
Symptoms of conversion disorder vary between individuals and on the type of neuralgic disorder a person has. Symptoms can be mild or severe, may stop and start or be continuous, and usually affect the body’s ability to function correctly. Share on PinterestOther medical conditions may need to be ruled out, so a doctor may recommended a CT scan.A doctor will diagnose conversion disorder using criteria defined by the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). These criteria include:
A doctor may also suggest some other tests to rule out other medical conditions. These tests include:
Once diagnosed, there is a variety of ways to treat conversion disorder. Anyone experiencing symptoms of conversion disorder should seek immediate medical attention, as the symptoms may be caused by an underlying medical condition. The first line of treatment is to try to identify the underlying cause. Once a person knows what the cause is, they can work on coping mechanisms and other solutions to relieve stress and emotional trauma as much as possible. Alleviating the triggers should, in turn, reduce the physical symptoms. Suggested treatments for conversion disorder may include:
The symptoms of conversion disorder can be very distressing and may have an enormous impact on a person’s wellbeing. Symptoms may prohibit them from carrying out everyday activities. Certain symptoms, such as seizures or temporary paralysis, may increase a person’s risk of permanent disability. A person may experience problems at work and in relationships and may feel they have a reduced quality of life. It is, therefore, crucial to seek a diagnosis and treatment as quickly as possible. The symptoms of conversion disorder usually resolve with treatment and time. Delaying diagnosis and treatment could lead to more persistent symptoms and further complications. With treatment, it is possible to reduce and manage the symptoms of conversion disorder. What is the best treatment for conversion disorder?How is conversion disorder treated, and is there a cure?. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). This is the most common type of therapy recommended. ... . Hypnotherapy. This is usually a second option for types of therapy. ... . Group or family therapy. Shared therapy experiences can help people with conversion disorder.. What medication is used for conversion disorder?Medications that have been tried with success include tricyclic antidepressants, haloperidol, and also treatment with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Treatment of coexisting psychological or psychiatric disease is warranted.
Which Defence mechanism is used in conversion disorder?The defense mechanisms chiefly associated with conversion reactions are repression and denial (Horowitz, 1977). Whereas repression is generally used as a defense against internal wishes or impulses, denial is usually a defense against the external world of reality when it is overwhelmingly emotionally disturbing.
What is the treatment for functional neurological disorder?Physical therapy for FND promotes 'automatic movements' and reduces the abnormal brain patterns that have been interfering with movement. CBT is generally the first line of treatment for patients with dissociative (non-epileptic) seizures or attacks as part of their FND and is supported by clinical trials.
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