Conversion disorders, also known as functional neurological symptom disorders, are psychological conditions in which physical or sensory symptoms are experienced that suggest medical problems, but have no identifiable organic cause. These disorders can affect different functions of the body, such as motor skills, sensory perception, hearing or vision, and their diagnosis and treatment can be challenging for mental health professionals.
1. Functional Paralysis
Functional paralysis is one of the most common conversion disorders, characterized by the sudden loss of the ability to move one or more limbs without an obvious medical cause. Symptoms can vary in intensity and duration, and are usually associated with situations of emotional stress or unresolved internal conflicts. People who suffer from functional paralysis may feel weakness or numbness in the affected limb, but physical examinations do not reveal any neurological injury or damage.
Symptoms:
- Inability to move the affected limb.
- Sensation of weakness or numbness in the area.
- Presence of other functional neurological symptoms.
2. Pseudoseizures
Pseudoseizures, also known as psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, are seizure-like episodes that are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. These seizures can be confused with epilepsy due to their appearance, but their origin is psychological rather than neurological. Pseudoseizures are usually triggered by stressful or traumatic emotional situations, and can be disabling for those who experience them.
Symptoms:
- Seizures not associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
- Loss of consciousness during the episode.
- Intensified emotions before and after the crisis.
3. Functional Blindness
Functional blindness is a conversion disorder that manifests with sudden loss of vision in the absence of detectable ocular or neurological damage. People who experience functional blindness may be able to perform visual activities in certain situations, suggesting that the problem lies not in the visual organs themselves, but in the interpretation of the visual system in the brain. This disorder can significantly interfere with daily life and the person's ability to carry out everyday tasks.
Symptoms:
- Sudden loss of vision.
- Preservation of visual capacity in certain specific situations.
- There are no obvious physical problems in the eyes.
4. Functional Deafness
Functional deafness is a conversion disorder in which the person experiences a decrease or complete loss of hearing without an identifiable organic cause. As with other types of conversion disorders, functional deafness is often associated with stressful or traumatic events in the person's life. Unlike neuropathic deafness, functional deafness is not related to problems in the auditory system, but has its origin in emotional and psychological factors.
Symptoms:
- Partial or total loss of hearing.
- There is no evidence of lesions or abnormalities in the auditory system.
- Selective response to certain sounds or situations.
5. Abnormal Movements
Abnormal movements in the context of conversion disorders can manifest in various ways, such as tremors, sudden involuntary movements or choreiform movements (rapid, irregular and non-repetitive). These movements are different from movement disorders of neurological origin, since they are not associated with alterations in the motor system. Abnormal movements in conversion disorders usually worsen in stressful situations or in the presence of other people.
Symptoms:
- Tremors or agitation without obvious neurological cause.
- Sudden and involuntary movements.
- Response to attention or stressful situations.
6. Loss of Sensation
Loss of sensation, also known as functional anesthesia, is a conversion disorder in which the person experiences a decrease or absence of tactile, thermal or painful sensations in a part of the body. without a valid medical explanation. This symptom can occur temporarily or persistently, and is usually more prominent in situations of emotional stress or internal conflict. Loss of sensation can result in undetected injuries or a decrease in the ability to perform daily activities.
Symptoms:
- Decreased or disappearance of sensation in a specific area.
- Absence of injuries or physical damage that explains the loss of sensitivity.
- Relationship with stressful or emotional situations.
7. Functional Dysphagia
Functional dysphagia is a conversion disorder that affects the ability to swallow properly without an underlying physical cause. People with functional dysphagia may experience sensations of blockage in the throat when trying to swallow solid or liquid foods, which can result in feeding difficulties and risk of malnutrition or dehydration. This disorder may be related to unresolved emotional conflicts that manifest themselves through physical symptoms in the swallowing process.
Symptoms:
- Sensation of obstruction or difficulty when swallowing. swallowing.
- Problems eating solid or liquid foods.
- There are no physical anomalies that justify dysphagia.
8. Functional Facial Paralysis
Functional facial paralysis is a conversion disorder in which the person experiences temporary loss or partial reversal of muscle control in one half of the face, without identifiable peripheral nerve injury or neurological damage. . This symptom can affect the ability to express facial expressions and non-verbal communication, which can have significant impacts on the affected person's social interactions and self-esteem. Functional facial paralysis is usually triggered by stressful or traumatic emotional factors.
Symptoms:
- Loss of muscle control in half of the face.
- Difficulty expressing emotions facially.
- There is no evidence of peripheral neurological damage.
9. Dissociative Amnesia
Dissociative amnesia, also known as psychogenic amnesia, is characterized by partial or total memory loss due to psychological factors, generally associated with traumatic or stressful situations. Unlike organic amnesia, which is due to neurological disorders, dissociative amnesia has no identifiable organic basis. People with this disorder may forget significant events in their life or have gaps in memory that they cannot explain.
Symptoms:
- Partial or total loss of memory without neurological cause.
- Forgetting traumatic or stressful events.
- Gaps in memory that cannot be explained.
10. Psychogenic Anesthesia
Psychogenic anesthesia is a conversion disorder in which a person loses the ability to feel pain or tactile sensations in a part of the body for no obvious medical reason. Unlike anesthesia caused by medical interventions or neurological injuries, psychogenic anesthesia is related to emotional conflicts or traumas that manifest themselves through numbness in specific areas. This condition can result in inadvertent injuries and medical complications if not properly detected and treated.
Symptoms:
- Absence of pain sensation in an area of the body. li>
- Insensitivity to tactile or thermal stimuli.
- There are no injuries or physical abnormalities that justify anesthesia.
Conversion disorders can be complex and challenging diagnosed due to the multifaceted nature of its symptoms and the need to rule out possible underlying medical causes. It is essential to address these disorders comprehensively, taking into account both the physical and psychological aspects of the affected person, and provide adequate treatment that combines cognitive-behavioral therapies, psychotherapy and emotional support.