Conversion disorder

Conversion disorder is a medical condition in which the brain and body's nerves are unable to send and receive signals properly. Much of the focus of treatment is on “retraining the brain.”

1. What are the symptoms of conversion disorder?
2. How do you get conversion disorder?
3. What is conversion disorder triggered by?
4. Is conversion disorder an anxiety disorder?

What are the symptoms of conversion disorder?

Symptoms

• Weakness or paralysis.
• Abnormal movement, such as tremors or difficulty walking.
• Loss of balance.
• Difficulty swallowing or feeling "a lump in the throat"
• Seizures or episodes of shaking and apparent loss of consciousness (nonepileptic seizures)
• Episodes of unresponsiveness.

How do you get conversion disorder?

Conversion disorder is thought to be caused by the body's reaction to a stressful physical or emotional event. Some research has identified potential neurological changes that may be related to symptoms of the disorder.

What is conversion disorder triggered by?

Conversion disorder is thought to be caused by mental factors, such as stress and conflict, which people with this disorder experience as (convert into) physical symptoms. Although conversion disorder tends to develop during late childhood to early adulthood, it may appear at any age.

Is conversion disorder an anxiety disorder?

It is common for a person with conversion disorder to also have a co-occurring mental health condition. This might include a mood disorder, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, dissociative disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, somatic disorders, and personality disorders.