Conversion disorder: Unexplained symptoms of silenced emotions?

Abstract

Introduction

Conversion disorder is a condition defined by the presence of symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function, not intentionally produced or feigned, presumed to be the expression of a psychological conflict or stressor, but mimicking neurological diseases or other medical conditions, that must be excluded before this diagnosis is made. The suspicion of conversion disorder arises when clinical findings are incompatible with the suggested neurological or medical conditions and there is a temporal relation between the onset of the symptoms and a psychological stressor. However, when these hints are absent, diagnosis may not be clear and require wider workup.

Objectives/aims

To make a brief review on conversion disorder and present an illustrative clinical-vignette.

Methods

We collected information from medical records and interview with the patient and made a research on PubMed with the MeSH terms “conversion disorder”.

Results

We present a 51-years-old female outpatient with episodes of paralysis of left upper and lower limbs. Some months before the onset of these symptoms, her daughter came to live with her. Their relationship became very conflictual. Electroencephalogram, laboratory and imaging studies were normal. She did not tolerate the antidepressants tried (SSRI, SNRI and trazodone), but reported to feel better with amisulpride and alprazolam.

Conclusions

Widely discussed in the past as “hysteria”, conversion disorder is still intriguing, because little is known about the link between body and mind, making the management of patients with this disorder challenging and highlighting the need for more studies on the topic.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.