Overview
Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, involves neurological symptoms affecting motor or sensory function without a corresponding organic cause, often linked to psychological stress or trauma 1.Diagnosis
Presence of one or more symptoms affecting motor or sensory function 1.
Symptoms not better explained by another medical or psychiatric disorder 1.
Symptoms are not intentionally produced or feigned 1.
Recommended psychological evaluation to assess psychological stressors 1.
No specific laboratory tests; diagnosis primarily clinical 1.Management
Psychotherapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is recommended as first-line treatment 1.
Supportive counseling and family involvement can be beneficial 1.
Pharmacotherapy may include low-dose antipsychotics (e.g., risperidone 0.5-2 mg/day) for severe symptoms 1.
Physical therapy may be adjunctive for motor symptoms 1.Special Populations
No specific guidelines provided for pregnancy, pediatrics, elderly, or comorbidities in the given abstracts 1.Key Recommendations
Diagnose conversion disorder based on clinical criteria excluding organic causes (Evidence: Expert opinion) 1.
Initiate psychotherapy, particularly CBT, as the primary treatment approach (Evidence: Expert opinion) 1.
Consider low-dose antipsychotics for severe cases under close monitoring (Evidence: Expert opinion) 1.References
1 Peng Y, Leiter RE, Rosa WE, von Gunten C. Tell Us More: Episode 2-Dr. Charles von Gunten. Journal of palliative medicine 2025. link
2 Olry R. A little known episode in the life of the future revolutionary Fabre d'Eglantine: his involvement in mephitism. Vesalius : acta internationales historiae medicinae 2009. link