Conversion disorder

Conversion disorder is a condition where a person experiences neurological symptoms such as weakness, numbness, or seizures without a clear physical cause. It primarily affects the nervous system, but the symptoms are not due to structural damage or disease. Instead, these symptoms arise from psychological stress or trauma that the brain converts into physical problems. People with this disorder may have difficulty controlling their movements or sensations, which can significantly impact daily life. The symptoms are real and can be very distressing, even though medical tests do not show typical neurological damage. This condition highlights the complex connection between the mind and body in health.

Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, is characterized by neurological symptoms incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions. The core pathology involves psychological stressors manifesting as functional neurological symptoms such as paralysis, sensory loss, or non-epileptic seizures. It is thought to result from abnormal brain processing of sensory or motor function without structural lesions. The disorder is classified under somatic symptom and related disorders in DSM-5 and is distinguished by the absence of intentional feigning. It is important due to its impact on patient functioning and the challenge it poses in differentiating from organic neurological diseases. Diagnosis requires careful exclusion of neurological causes and recognition of the psychogenic origin of symptoms.