Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsDiagnosisCauses and Risk FactorsTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Causes and Risk Factors

Treatment

Coping

Conversion disorder (also known as functional neurological symptom disorder) is a psychological condition that causes symptoms that appear to be neurological, such as paralysis, speech impairment, or tremors, but with no obvious or known organic causes.In the past, these events were often referred to as “hysterical blindness” or “hysterical paralysis.”

Conversion disorder is a relatively rare mental illness, with 2 to 5 out of 100,000 people reporting symptoms per year.It is categorized as a type of somatic symptom disorder, according to theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-5),the leading diagnostic guide for the mental health profession.

Understanding the medical definition of conversion disorder is the first step toward getting help for yourself or someone you love.

What It’s Actually Like to Have a Somatoform Disorder

There’s typically a sudden onset of symptoms that affect voluntary motor or sensory function—and these symptoms can disappear just as suddenly, without any physiological reason.

The physical symptoms of conversion disorder are often described as your body’s way of dealing with unresolved stress or unexpressed emotions that triggered the disorder. In other words, the physical symptoms distract the person from the emotional duress. Conversion disorder typically affects movement function as well as the senses.

Symptoms of conversion disorder can be about any neurological deficit imaginable, including:

The DSM-5 offers several specific criteria for diagnosing conversion disorder, including:

Differential Diagnosis

Your healthcare provider will also need to rule out conditions that may cause similar symptoms, including:

Conversion disorder may also be a psychological reaction to a highly stressful event or emotional trauma. For example, a soldier who subconsciously wishes to avoid firing a gun may develop paralysis in their hand.

The disorder does not necessarily develop immediately following the trigger, so it’s important to disclose recent and past stress when speaking to your therapist.

Other risk factors of conversion disorder include:

Research also suggests that people with conversion disorder also tend to have abnormal emotional regulation.

Conversation disorder is not a lifelong disorder. If you or someone you love is experiencing severe or lingering symptoms of conversion disorder, treatment may be required and will depend on your individual symptoms.

However, symptoms may improve on their own with time even without treatment, and most people do get better with time and reassurance.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy, including individual or group therapy,cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), hypnosis,biofeedback, and relaxation therapy, have been found to help people with conversation disorder recognize triggers and symptoms and learn new ways to cope with them.

Medication

Your healthcare provider may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant to treat the underlying stress or anxiety that is causing the symptoms of conversion disorder.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is often used for people with conversation disorders who have movement disturbances, including problems with coordination, balance, or walking or weak limbs. It’s also important to prevent any secondary complications, including muscle weakness and stiffness, that result from inactivity.

Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation (NIBS) Methods

Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) methods, such aselectroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are possible alternative treatments to reduce conversion disorder symptoms, including limb weakness and paralysis.

However, it is important to be aware that these treatments are considered experimental and there is a lack of rigorous randomized controlled trials. Because of this, these treatments should be viewed with caution.

In addition to treatment, adopting some healthy lifestyle changes can help ensure that you better manage any stress and anxiety causing your symptoms. This could include:

Seeking Support

In addition to emotional support, online support communities and Facebook groups can help ensure that you’re educated on the latest findings and approaches to managing conversion disorder. A few social networking websites to consider include:

If you or a loved one are struggling with conversion disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with conversion disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder- mind versus body: A review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Conversion Disorder.2017.Aybek S, Nicholson TR, O’daly O, Zelaya F, Kanaan RA, David AS.Emotion-motion interactions in conversion disorder: an FMRI study.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0123273. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123273Kaur J, Garnawat D, Ghimiray D, et al.Conversion disorder and physical therapy.Delhi Psychiatry J. 2012;15(2):394–397.Schönfeldt-Lecuona C, Lefaucheur JP, Lepping P, et al.Non-invasive brain stimulation in conversion (functional) weakness and paralysis: A systematic review and guture perspectives.Front Neurosci. 2016;10:140. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00140

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder- mind versus body: A review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Conversion Disorder.2017.Aybek S, Nicholson TR, O’daly O, Zelaya F, Kanaan RA, David AS.Emotion-motion interactions in conversion disorder: an FMRI study.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0123273. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123273Kaur J, Garnawat D, Ghimiray D, et al.Conversion disorder and physical therapy.Delhi Psychiatry J. 2012;15(2):394–397.Schönfeldt-Lecuona C, Lefaucheur JP, Lepping P, et al.Non-invasive brain stimulation in conversion (functional) weakness and paralysis: A systematic review and guture perspectives.Front Neurosci. 2016;10:140. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00140

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder- mind versus body: A review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Conversion Disorder.2017.Aybek S, Nicholson TR, O’daly O, Zelaya F, Kanaan RA, David AS.Emotion-motion interactions in conversion disorder: an FMRI study.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0123273. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123273Kaur J, Garnawat D, Ghimiray D, et al.Conversion disorder and physical therapy.Delhi Psychiatry J. 2012;15(2):394–397.Schönfeldt-Lecuona C, Lefaucheur JP, Lepping P, et al.Non-invasive brain stimulation in conversion (functional) weakness and paralysis: A systematic review and guture perspectives.Front Neurosci. 2016;10:140. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00140

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed. Washington D.C.: 2013. doi:10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596

Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder- mind versus body: A review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center.Conversion Disorder.2017.

Aybek S, Nicholson TR, O’daly O, Zelaya F, Kanaan RA, David AS.Emotion-motion interactions in conversion disorder: an FMRI study.PLoS ONE. 2015;10(4):e0123273. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123273

Kaur J, Garnawat D, Ghimiray D, et al.Conversion disorder and physical therapy.Delhi Psychiatry J. 2012;15(2):394–397.

Schönfeldt-Lecuona C, Lefaucheur JP, Lepping P, et al.Non-invasive brain stimulation in conversion (functional) weakness and paralysis: A systematic review and guture perspectives.Front Neurosci. 2016;10:140. doi:10.3389/fnins.2016.00140

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?