Imagine going through an extremely stressful event, psychologically or physically, and then waking up the next morning and discovering you are blind. There are no physical signs showing that are causing your blindness, but you definitely cannot see. This is what conversion disorder can be like. Conversion disorder is a somatoform disorder – a condition where a person experiences physical symptoms due to psychological causes – that causes a person to experience physical symptoms after extremely stressful events. Individuals that experience this disorder have no anatomical evidence that can say what is causing their symptoms. This does not mean that they are faking the symptoms; to the individual suffering from the disorder they are all
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Symptoms of conversion disorder can be discerned from other medical problems easily enough due to how they appear in those affected by the disorder. Those who develop a loss sensation symptom will experience more of a “glove anesthesia”, the complete loss of sensation in a limb or other body part. Anatomically, this does not make sense. If the individual had nerve damage, then only certain parts of the hand would have no sensation (Lahey 471). With symptoms of paralysis, it has been shown with physical examinations that any affected body parts still retain their normal reflexes and responses to electrical stimulus (“Conversion Disorder”). It has also been noted that those affected by paralysis in their legs are capable of moving them normally in their sleep (Lahey 471). Another symptom that can diagnose conversion disorder is la belle indifference, also known as “Beautiful Indifference”. When a person with conversion disorder first experiences the symptoms, they do not act very concerned about it. It is unsure whether or not this is because those affected by the disorder want the symptoms to happen so they can get out of responsibilities or have others help take care of them (Lahey …show more content…
The first is that the patient must have symptoms affecting voluntary motor or sensory function that suggest a medical condition. Secondly, any psychological factors must be taken into account since the symptoms of this disorder are caused by psychological stressors or conflict. After deciding that the symptoms are caused by psychological stressors, it needs to be decided if the symptoms are being caused intentionally and if they can be stopped voluntarily. If they cannot be stopped voluntarily, then investigations should be done to confirm that the symptoms shown cannot be explained by general medical conditions, use of substances, or culturally sanctioned behavior or experience. The fifth step involves looking at the symptoms and deciding if they are causing significant distress or impairment to the patient’s social life, occupational life, other areas of function, or if they require medical attention. Lastly, discern that the symptoms are not limited to a pain or sexual dysfunction, do not occur exclusively during the course of Somatization Disorder, and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (“Diagnostic Criteria: Conversion Disorder”). After going through these steps, it can be confirmed whether or not a person has conversion
Symptoms of conversion disorder can be discerned from other medical problems easily enough due to how they appear in those affected by the disorder. Those who develop a loss sensation symptom will experience more of a “glove anesthesia”, the complete loss of sensation in a limb or other body part. Anatomically, this does not make sense. If the individual had nerve damage, then only certain parts of the hand would have no sensation (Lahey 471). With symptoms of paralysis, it has been shown with physical examinations that any affected body parts still retain their normal reflexes and responses to electrical stimulus (“Conversion Disorder”). It has also been noted that those affected by paralysis in their legs are capable of moving them normally in their sleep (Lahey 471). Another symptom that can diagnose conversion disorder is la belle indifference, also known as “Beautiful Indifference”. When a person with conversion disorder first experiences the symptoms, they do not act very concerned about it. It is unsure whether or not this is because those affected by the disorder want the symptoms to happen so they can get out of responsibilities or have others help take care of them (Lahey …show more content…
The first is that the patient must have symptoms affecting voluntary motor or sensory function that suggest a medical condition. Secondly, any psychological factors must be taken into account since the symptoms of this disorder are caused by psychological stressors or conflict. After deciding that the symptoms are caused by psychological stressors, it needs to be decided if the symptoms are being caused intentionally and if they can be stopped voluntarily. If they cannot be stopped voluntarily, then investigations should be done to confirm that the symptoms shown cannot be explained by general medical conditions, use of substances, or culturally sanctioned behavior or experience. The fifth step involves looking at the symptoms and deciding if they are causing significant distress or impairment to the patient’s social life, occupational life, other areas of function, or if they require medical attention. Lastly, discern that the symptoms are not limited to a pain or sexual dysfunction, do not occur exclusively during the course of Somatization Disorder, and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (“Diagnostic Criteria: Conversion Disorder”). After going through these steps, it can be confirmed whether or not a person has conversion