What Is Conversion Disorder?

Patient Prognosis

The majority of cases of conversion disorder are not severe enough to cause permanent disability or a shortened lifespan. The symptoms tend to come on and last for several days or weeks. It's also common for patients to experience a sudden reduction or complete elimination of these symptoms. The symptoms themselves don't tend to be life-threatening, but they can be painful and disabling. In cases where the symptoms cause blindness or other impairments, they can also cause affected individuals to end up in dangerous situations. The symptom complications can be debilitating even after the initial symptoms have cleared up. In addition, many conversion disorder patients end up getting several medical tests to look for physical or neurological issues. Some of these tests are invasive and can have complications of their own. With all of that said, most individuals with conversion disorder recover with time and reassurance. Evidence has shown around twenty-five percent of patients have recurring episodes or develop new conversion disorder symptoms at a later date.

Learn how to help a loved one with conversion disorder next.

How To Help A Loved One

It can be hard to know how to help a loved one who has conversion disorder. The situation is frustrating because the physical symptoms can be very scary, debilitating, and sometimes have disabling complications. Individuals feeling like something is wrong with their body is frightening, but being told it's 'all in their head' can be even more frightening. Conversion disorder patients may worry they sound crazy and they'll be laughed off or derided. The best thing to do for a loved one with conversion disorder is to listen honestly to their concerns and offer support. It's very important to remember even if the physical symptoms don't have a physical or neurological cause, they still feel very real. It won't help to tell the person to stop making a big deal over nothing or it's 'all in their head.' Instead, give them whatever support is possible as a friend or family member. Try to help alleviate sources of stress in their life by allowing them to vent and taking on responsibilities where it's possible.

Continue reading for tips on preventing conversion disorder.