How might somebody go about separting physical from psychological causes of conversion disorder?

Answer 1

Conversion Disorder has no physical basis by definition. It is purely psychological and the symptoms are symbolic manifestations (or sometimes resolutions) of psychological conflict. The physical or organic basis for the symptoms is ruled out by a medical doctor, often a neurologist as many conversion disorder symptoms mimic neurological symptoms (hysterical blindness, deafness, paralysis). The disorder id fairly uncommon and I have never seen a true case of it in 20 years, though I've seen somatoform disorders like psychogenic seizures which have some common features. I'm curious where the question is coming from as it's the second one I've seen.

Answer 2

Conversion d/o is the manifestation of intrapsychic conflict (of many different types, often after an extremely traumatic event) in physical form, such as blindness, loss of hearing, etc. (used to be called such things as "hysterical blindness") As such, there is no "physical" cause of the disorder; the affected physical organs continue to function normally. I'm wondering if you are talking about ruling out physical etiology of the presenting symptoms from a purely psychological etiology?

Answer 3

I have never heard of this disorder?