Conversion disorder is a psychiatric disorder characterized by somatic symptoms that often occur as a coping mechanism for stress or emotional difficulties. Although these symptoms may appear to be symptoms of a medical condition, they have a psychological rather than a medical cause. Conversion disorder can occur when an individual's ability to cope with challenging emotional experiences is limited and is often manifested by a variety of somatic symptoms such as neurological symptoms, muscle weakness, vision or speech problems.
This disorder is defined as a reaction in which an individual's subconscious emotional distress somehow translates into physical symptoms. Conversion disorder is usually evaluated and treated by a specialist psychiatrist or psychologist.
What are the symptoms of conversion disorder?
Symptoms of conversion disorder are often associated with physical complaints that mimic the presence of a medical condition. These symptoms can include a variety of neurological or musculoskeletal symptoms. Common symptoms of conversion disorder:
Muscle Weakness: The individual may experience sudden onset of muscle weakness, which can limit daily activities.
Coordination Problems: Conversion disorder can cause coordination problems, which can lead to loss of balance or erratic movements.
Seizures: Neurological symptoms may include seizure-like conditions.
Vision Problems: Sudden vision loss, double vision or other vision problems may occur.
Voice or Speech Problems: The person may experience voice changes, difficulty speaking or other sudden speech problems.
Anesthesia or numbness: A feeling of numbness or numbness in certain body parts may occur.
Gait Disorders: Conversion disorder can lead to gait problems, which can affect normal walking.
Memory Loss: Neurological symptoms such as memory loss or cognitive difficulties may also occur.
What Causes Conversion Disorder?
The exact cause of conversion disorder is unknown, but it is thought to often occur following a challenging emotional event or trauma. It is considered a defense mechanism that occurs when a person has difficulty coping with this negative emotional experience. Conversion disorder is characterized by the transformation of emotional stress or conflict into symptoms in the body.
In addition to a specific cause, this disorder, which is caused by emotional conflicts in a person's subconscious, can manifest as a kind of "avoidance" response. The person may not be able to tolerate emotional pain or stress better and instead turn to somatic (physical) symptoms in the body.
Who Suffers from Conversion Disorder?
Conversion disorder can occur in any age, gender or socioeconomic group. However, it is generally more common among young women. This disorder can usually occur from adolescence to young adulthood. The age of onset usually ranges from 10 to 35, but it can occur at any time of life.
Symptoms often occur following a stressful event, so it may be more common in people who have been exposed to stressful life events. These events can include traumatic experiences, family conflicts, losses or other challenging situations.
In addition, individual factors such as overall personality structure and psychological background can also influence the risk of developing conversion disorder. However, anyone can experience this type of disorder, in which case expert help and appropriate treatment are important.
How is conversion disorder diagnosed?
Diagnosing conversion disorder usually involves a series of clinical assessments. The psychiatrist or psychologist conducts an assessment, focusing on the person's symptoms, medical and psychosocial history. However, diagnosing conversion disorder usually means excluding other medical conditions and psychiatric disorders. This assessment process may include the following steps:
Physical Examination: The person may undergo a physical examination of their symptoms. This is important to assess other potential medical causes.
Laboratory Tests: Medical tests such as blood tests, imaging tests or electrophysiological tests can be used to rule out other health problems.
Psychiatric Evaluation: The specialist assesses the person's general psychiatric condition. It focuses on the person's mood, thought processes and general psychological state.
DSM-5 Criteria: Based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) published by the American Psychiatric Association, the specialist assesses the symptoms identified for conversion disorder.
No Other Health Problems: Other medical conditions or neurological problems are assessed to exclude underlying causes of symptoms.
Conversion Disorder Treatment
Treatment of conversion disorder usually requires a multidisciplinary approach and is planned individually. This treatment process takes into account the severity of the symptoms, the individual's general health and living conditions. Some of the methods used in the treatment of conversion disorder:
Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be used to improve the individual's ability to cope with their symptoms and to understand the underlying psychological factors.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Physical therapy can be used to deal with the physical aspects of symptoms. This can include increasing muscle strength, improving movement abilities and encouraging physical activity.
Medication: Certain medications may be prescribed to address symptoms, especially for accompanying conditions such as anxiety or depression. However, medications usually do not completely eliminate symptoms.
Family Involvement: Family members can be involved in the individual's treatment process. This support can increase the effectiveness of treatment and contribute to the overall recovery process.
Rehabilitation Programs: Rehabilitation programs can be used to restore daily living skills, improve functionality and promote independence.
The treatment process is adapted depending on individual preferences and needs. The success of the treatment is closely linked to the person's participation in the treatment and the coordinated efforts of support systems and specialists.