Learn the symptoms, risk factors, and more
Understanding the medical definition of conversion disorder (also known as functional neurological symptom disorder), along with its symptoms and risk factors, is the first step to getting help for yourself or someone you love.
What is conversion disorder?
Speech disorder is a psychological condition that causes symptoms that occur neurologically, such as paralysis, speech reduction, or tremor.
It is a relatively rare mental illness with less than 25 cases reported in a population of 100,000, according to the National Organization for Rare Diseases. It is categorized as a type of somatoform disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition ( DSM-5 ), the leading diagnostic guide for the mental health profession.
There is usually 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 symptoms can be about any conceivable neurological deficiency, including paralysis, loss of voice (aphonia), coordination disorders, temporary blindness, loss of smell (anosmia) or touch (anesthesia).
Diagnostic Conversation Disorder
The DSM-5 provides several specific criteria for the diagnosis of conversion disorder, including:
- There must be at least one symptom of sensory or motor impairment.
- Symptoms are not caused by neurological condition, physical illness or drug abuse.
- Symptoms are preceded by conflict or psychological stress.
- Symptoms are not better explained by somatization disorder or another psychological condition.
Risk Factors for Conversation Disorder
Conversational disorder is usually caused by a psychological reaction to a highly stressful event or emotional trauma.
For example, a soldier who unknowingly wants to prevent a gun from being fired may provoke paralysis in his or her hand. The disorder does not necessarily develop right away, but it is therefore important to reveal recent and past stress when talking to your therapist. Other risk factors of conversion disorder include:
- To be feminine; women have a higher risk of developing the disorder
- Having a mental health condition, including mood or anxiety disorders, dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder) or other personality disorders
- With a neurological disease, such as epilepsy
- To have a family member with conversion disorder
- Be highly conscientious, hardworking, compulsive and a perfectionist
- A history of physical or sexual abuse and neglect as a child
Symptoms of Conversation Disorder
The physical symptoms of conversion disorder are often described as your body’s way of dealing with the unresolved stress or unexpressed emotions that caused the disorder. In other words, the physical symptoms distract the person from the emotional folly. Conversational disorder usually affects movement function as well as the senses. Some common red flags include:
- Weakness or paralysis
- Abnormal walking or tremor
- Loss of balance
- Problem swallowing or feelings of a lump in your throat
- Injuries or convulsions
- Episode of irresponsibility
- Clumsiness or loss of sensation of touch
- Slurred speech or inability to speak
- Blindness or double vision
- Deafness or hearing problems
