Conversion Disorder Functional Neurological

About Conversion Disorder Functional Neurological

Conversion disorder, also called functional neurological symptom disorder in DSM-5, involves one or more symptoms of altered voluntary motor or sensory function, such as weakness or paralysis, abnormal movements, tremor, problems with walking, difficulty swallowing, speech problems, seizure like episodes, numbness, or loss of vision or hearing. Clinical findings show that the symptoms are incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions, for example through positive signs on examination that differ from those of structural nerve damage. The symptoms are genuine and are not intentionally produced or feigned. DSM-5 no longer requires an identifiable psychological stressor for diagnosis, although stress and trauma are common contributing factors. The name conversion comes from the earlier psychoanalytic idea that emotional distress is converted into physical symptoms, and historically such presentations were described as hysteria, studied by the French neurologist Jean Martin Charcot in the nineteenth century. Functional neurological disorders are a common reason for referral to neurology clinics, and current understanding emphasizes altered brain functioning in attention and movement control rather than structural damage. Treatment begins with a clear, respectful explanation of the diagnosis and is often multidisciplinary, including physiotherapy for functional motor symptoms, cognitive behavioral therapy, occupational therapy and treatment of co occurring anxiety, depression or pain.