Conversion Disorder: The Physical Expression of Mental Distress

Conversion disorder is a kind of mental health problem in which a person suffers from various physical symptoms, but the cause is entirely psychological.

The physical symptoms are of two types:

1) Sensory symptoms: inability to see or difficulty seeing, and loss of the sense of touch.

2) Physical symptoms: paralysis of the whole body or a specific part; bending of the hands, feet, or body; difficulty maintaining balance or falling while walking; bodily weakness; becoming mute or having difficulty speaking; a feeling of something stuck in the throat while swallowing; seizures; and sudden fainting.

Seeing these symptoms, some people may think the person is doing it deliberately or that they have been affected by something spiritual or black magic. This is a completely mistaken belief.

If one or more symptoms are observed for six months or more and interfere with the person's personal, professional, social, and other important areas of life, causing severe distress to those close to them, then the person is said to have this disorder. Research shows that conversion disorder is more common in women than in men, and the tendency to develop it is higher between the ages of 10 and 35.

Cause of conversion disorder: Medical science has not yet found any definite cause.

Treatment: Psychotherapy is very effective for conversion disorder. However, for faster recovery it is good to take medication and psychotherapy together.