Seizure as a conversion symptom, a case report

Abstract

Introduction

Patients with conversive disorder could show atypical clinical presentations with neurological symptoms that are not frequently seen currently.

Case Report

A 21-year-old female who was diagnosed of conversive disorder was admitted into a short-stay psychiatric unit for two weeks to introduce treatment and receiving a diagnosis. She presented few seconds long seizures in members without bitting her tongue and keeping control of sphincters, always surrounded by relatives. A neurological study was made with CT scan and electroencephalography and no evidences of neurological abnormalities were found. Various treatments were used but seizures went worse. Venlafaxine (150 mg/day) was prescribed after hipothymc reactive symptoms were observed, which together with pshycotherapy achieved clinical improvement in the two months follow-up.

Discussion

Patients with conversive disorder don’t respond appropriately to pharmacologic treatment. In order for patients to understand the situation it is important to keep themupdated in an empathic manner. It is important to exclude other causes.

Conclusions

A detailed psychopathological exploration should be made in all conversive patients, to explore symptoms and comorbidities that could reveal new therapeutic treatment.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.