Conversion disorder

Posted by Becky on July 02, 1999 at 21:16:58
I am a 42 year old woman diagnosed as having conversion disorder. Due to an intense fear, I turned off my feelings. Has anyone heard of this?

Posted by HVM Ph.D. KDK on July 04, 1999 at 07:33:17
Dear Becky,
Conversion Disorder is one of several types of Somatoform Disorders. These conditions have in common the presence of  physical symptoms that are (a) not fully explained by a medical condition, and (b) are associated with psychological factors. In Conversion Disorder the symptom affects voluntary motor or sensory functioning, and the symptom suggests a neurological or other medical condition. Stressors are associated with the onset or worsening of the symptom(s). Some of the physical symptoms often noted in Conversion Disorder include problematic coordination or balance, weakness, paralysis, loss of sensation of touch or pain, blindness or deafness, seizures/convulsions and double vision.
Hopefully you are under the care of mental health professionals who can offer both psychotherapy and medication.