conversion disorder A somatoform disorder that involves numbness, blindness, paralysis or fits without a neurological cause. Conversion Hysterical Neurosis Conversion hysteria or reaction DOID:1768 Hysterical neurosis, conversion type ICD9CM:300.11 MSH:D003291 SNOMEDCT_2010_1_31:20734000 SNOMEDCT_2010_1_31:44376007 SNOMEDCT_2010_1_31:89239005 UMLS_CUI:C0009946 disease_ontology The symptoms of this disorder are not intentionally produced or feigned, and is not diagnosed if the symptoms or deficits are fully explained by a neurological or general medical condition, by the direct effects of a substance, or as a culturally sanctioned behaviour or experience. A person with this disorder actually believes that there is a genuine physical problem, and it produces notable distress or impairment in social or occupational functioning. the most common conversion symptoms seen in neurological clinics involve psychogenic pain, disturbances of stance and gait, sensory symptoms, dizziness, and psychogenic seizures. The occurrence of symptoms is often related to stress. Nearly 75 percent of respondents in one sample reported that their conversion symptoms developed after they had experienced a stressor. Some symptoms may require extensive neurological and physical examinations to rule out a true medical disorder before a diagnosis of conversion disorder can be made. Discriminating between people who are faking and those with this disorder is difficult. "Understanding abnormal behavior". David Sue, Derald Wing Sue, Stanley Sue. Conversion symptoms typically do not conform to known anatomical pathways and physiological mechanisms, but instead follow the individual's conceptualization of a condition. A"paralyzed" extremity will be moved inadvertently while dressing or when attention is directed elsewhere. If placed above the head and released, a "paralyzed" arm will be briefly retain its position, then fall to the side, rather than striking the head. this disorder has been reported to be more common in rural populations, individuals of lower socioeconomic status, and individuals less knowledgeable about medical and psychological concepts. As many as one-third of individuals with conversion symptoms have a current or prior neurological condition. This disorder appears to be more frequent in women than in men. DSM-IV-TR (american Psychiatric Association) Disorder in which the individual will complain of physical problems or impairments of sensory or motor functions controlled by the voluntary nervous system, all suggesting a neurological disorder but with no underlying organic cause. Understanding abnormal behavior. David Sue, Derald Wing Sue, Stanley Sue. F44.x .4 With Motor Symptom or Deficit .5 With Seizures or Convulsions .6 With Sensory Symptom or Deficit .7 With Mixed Presentation 300.11 Motor symptoms or deficits include: - Impaired coordination or balance - Paralysis or localised weakness - Aphonia - Difficulty swallowing or a sensation of a lump in the throat - Urinary retention Sensory symptoms or deficits include: - Loss of touch or pain sensation - Double vision - Blindness - Deafness - Hallucinations. Symptoms may also include seizures or convulsions. DSM-IV-TR (american Psychiatric Association) MFOMD_0000031 trastorno de conversión somatoform disorder