Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, is a condition where a person experiences neurological symptoms such as blindness, paralysis, or seizures that cannot be fully explained by medical issues. It occurs when psychological stressors are converted into physical symptoms affecting sensation, movement, or both. People with conversion disorder may experience weakness in the limbs, impaired coordination, or problems with senses like vision or hearing. It is diagnosed through medical history, exams, and tests to rule out other neurological or medical conditions. Treatment involves counseling therapies and sometimes medication to manage anxiety or depression. Prognosis is generally good, especially if the condition is diagnosed early and the patient engages with treatment recommendations.

1. CONVERSION
DISORDER
By
Sreetha Akhil
MSc Nsg
JMCON

2. Conversion disorder, also called functional neurological
symptom disorder, is a medical problem involving the function
of the nervous system; specifically, the brain and body’s nerves
are unable to send and receive signals properly. As a result of
this communication problem, patients with conversion
disorders may have difficulty moving their limbs or have
problems with one or more of their senses.

3. CONVERSION DISODER
• MEANING – Anxiety is converted into physical
symptoms
• Previously it is known as Hysteria
• Conversion disorder - in which a person experiences
blindness, paralysis, or other symptoms affecting the
nervous system that cannot be explained solely by a
physical illness or injury.

4. DEFINITION
• An illness of symptoms or deficits affecting
voluntary motor or sensory functions, suggesting
another medical condition, but judged due to
psychological factors because of preceding conflicts
or other stressors.
• Characterized by the presence of one or more
neurological symptoms, unexplained by a known
neurological or medical disorder

5. EPIDERMOLOGY
Conversion disorder can occur at any age
It tends to develop during adolescence to
early adulthood.
Conversion disorder is more common in
women.
About two-third of patients have evidence
of psychiatric disease, the most common
being depression and trauma.
Personality disorders are also commonly
seen.

6. ETIOLOGY
• Genetic factor
• Biochemical factor
• Psychosocial factor
• Family dynamics

7. CLINICAL MANIFESTATION
Motor symptoms or deficits:
Impaired coordination or balance
Weakness/paralysis of a limb or the entire body
Impairment or loss of speech
Difficulty swallowing or a sensation of a lump in the throat
 Urinary retention
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or convulsions
Tremor
Gait problems
Fainting

8. Sensory symptoms
• Impaired vision
• Double vision
• Impaired hearing (deafness)
• Loss or disturbance of touch or pain sensation
• Numbness

9. DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
• Medical history and physical exam.
• CT and MRI scans. These tests provide detail
on possible head injuries, strokes, brain tumors
and brain diseases that may be causing
symptoms.
• EEG. This tests looks for evidence of seizures
or other electrical changes in the brain.

10. Dsm-5 diagnostic criteria for conversion disorder
One or more symptoms that affect body movement or your senses
Symptoms can't be explained by a neurological or other medical
condition or another mental health disorder
Symptoms cause significant distress or problems in social, work or
other areas, or they're significant enough that medical evaluation is
recommended

11. MANAGEMENT
• Pharmacological management
Anxiolytics
Antidepressants

12. Non pharmacological management
• Psychotherapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy
Individual psychotherapy
Group therapy
• Hypnosis
• Trans cranial magnetic stimulation
• Rehabilitation therapy
• Relaxation therapy

13. Prognosis
There is reason for hope: most people who experience functional symptoms get
better. Factors that are associated with a positive outcome include:
• Patient received a good explanation of the condition and accepted the treatment
recommendations.
• Patient was diagnosed early.
• Patient had a good response to treatments.

14. REFERENCE
 Towsand MC. Essentials of psychiatric mental health nursing. 3rd edition.
Philadelphia; F A Davis company publication.2005
 Ahuja N, Vyas JN. Textbook of postgraduate psychiatry. Second edition. Jaypee
publication. 2013.
 Sreevani R. A guide to mental health and psychiatric nursing. 3rd edition. New
Delhi: Jaypee brother medical publication.2010.
 Neeraja K P. Essentials of mental health and psychiatric nursing. Volume two. Jaypee
Publication; New delhi.
 Gupta R K. Mental health nursing. Third edition. Bikrampura;S vikas & company
medical publications. 2016
 Gelder M G, Juan J L. new oxford textbook of psychiatry. Volume 1, oxford university
publications, New York.