Somatization

Conversion Disorder

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Conversion Disorder

  • Epidemiology
  1. Onset between age 10 to 35 years
  2. Demographics
    1. More common in rural regions
    2. More common with lower socioeconomic resources
  • Diagnosis
  • DSM-V Conversion Disorder
  1. Conversion Disorder is a subtype of Somatic Symptom Disorder
  2. At least one symptom altered voluntary motor or sensory function inconsistent with known condition
  • Diagnosis
  • DSM-IV - Conversion Disorder
  1. Must meet criteria for a Somatoform Disorder
    1. Unexplained physical symptoms
    2. Not due to condition of Secondary Gain (Malingering or Factitious Disorder)
    3. Causes dysfunction
  2. Specific Conversion Disorder Criteria
    1. Single unexplained symptom
    2. Symptom related to voluntary motor or sensory functioning (pseudoneurologic)
      1. See Somatization Symptoms: Neurologic
  • Signs
  1. Neurologic symptoms that cannot be explained by anatomic pathways
  2. Example: Hemiparesis with normal reflexes and Muscle tone