Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesDID SymptomsConversion Disorder SymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
DID Symptoms
Conversion Disorder Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Dissociative disordersandconversion disorderare both mental health conditions. While they are separate diagnoses, these conditions often occur together.
Dissociative disorders cause a person to be disconnected from their thoughts, memories, consciousness, and identity.Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological disorder or functional neurological symptom disorder, causes neurological symptoms without an underlying neurological condition.
This article discusses the similarities and differences between dissociative disorders and conversion disorder.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Types of Dissociative and Conversion Disorders
Dissociative disorder symptoms present with primarily psychological symptoms, while conversion disorder presents with physical signs and symptoms such as blindness and paralysis.
There are three types of dissociative disorders:
Conversion disorder is one diagnosis but has several types, based on a person’s symptoms, including:
Dissociative and conversion disorders are associated with childhood trauma. However, in some cases, the cause is not known.
What Are the Symptoms of Dissociative Disorders?
Each specific dissociative disorder has its own symptoms.
Common symptoms of dissociative identity disorder include:
Dissociative amnesia symptoms are centered around not being able to recall information about oneself. The three main types of memory loss are:
Symptoms of depersonalization/derealization disorder include:
What Are the Symptoms of Conversion Disorder?
Diagnosing Dissociative and Conversion Disorders
Dissociative disorders are diagnosed based on a person’s history and symptoms. Additional testing might be performed to make sure the symptoms aren’t due to other medical conditions that can affect memory and other mental functions, such as a brain tumor, head injury, side effects of medications, substance use, or sleep issues.
Conversion disorder is also diagnosed based on a review of symptoms. However, because conversion disorder causes a host of physical symptoms, other testing is usually performed to rule out neurological conditions or other medical issues that can cause similar symptoms.
When Do These Conditions Occur?While dissociative disorders and conversion disorder can occur at any age, they most commonly appear in adolescence.
When Do These Conditions Occur?
While dissociative disorders and conversion disorder can occur at any age, they most commonly appear in adolescence.
Do I Have Dissociative Identity Disorder? Take Our Test.
Treating Dissociative and Conversion Disorders
Psychotherapyis a primary treatment for both dissociative and conversion disorders. Goals of psychotherapy include:
Additionally, psychotherapy for conversion disorder focuses on identifying the emotional issues that are causing the physical symptoms.
Physical therapymay be part of the treatment for conversion disorder to help maintain muscle strength and reduce stiffness that can develop due to inactivity.Occupational therapyis also used to help a person regain the ability to perform daily tasks.
There are no medications that directly treat dissociative disorders or conversion disorder. However, medications are sometimes used to treat depression and anxiety that can occur with these conditions, such asselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs).
Common SSRIs include:
The prognosis for dissociative and conversion disorders varies based on a person’s specific diagnosis, circumstances, and whether they are receiving treatment. Symptoms of dissociative disorders can be recurrent, often increasing under stress.
Appropriate psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment can potentially decrease the frequency and severity of the symptoms and improve functioning.
Many people with conversion disorder fully recover.Physical symptoms can last as short as a few days or weeks. However, these symptoms can also be recurrent or chronic (long-lasting).
Signs of Repressed Childhood Trauma in Adulthood
Proper Treatment Is ImportantDissociative disorders and conversion disorder significantly impact a person’s daily life. The most important way to cope with these conditions is to seek appropriate treatment.
Proper Treatment Is Important
Dissociative disorders and conversion disorder significantly impact a person’s daily life. The most important way to cope with these conditions is to seek appropriate treatment.
Summary
Dissociative disorders and conversion disorder are mental health conditions that can occur together. Dissociative disorders cause a person to become disconnected from important aspects of their lives. Conversion disorder causes physical symptoms that mimic neurological conditions.
Both conditions are treated with psychotherapy. Other therapies can help restore function as the underlying psychological issues are addressed. In some cases, medications are used to treatdepressionandanxietythat often occur with dissociative and conversion disorders.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What are dissociative disorders?National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder— mind versus body: a review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) information.American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.Dissociative identity disorder.O’Neal MA, Baslet G.Treatment for patients with a functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder): An integrated approach.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(4):307-314. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040450
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychiatric Association.What are dissociative disorders?National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder— mind versus body: a review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) information.American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.Dissociative identity disorder.O’Neal MA, Baslet G.Treatment for patients with a functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder): An integrated approach.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(4):307-314. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040450
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychiatric Association.What are dissociative disorders?National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder— mind versus body: a review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) information.American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.Dissociative identity disorder.O’Neal MA, Baslet G.Treatment for patients with a functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder): An integrated approach.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(4):307-314. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040450
American Psychiatric Association.What are dissociative disorders?
National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.Conversion disorder.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.
National Institute of Mental Health.Psychotherapies.
Ali S, Jabeen S, Pate RJ, et al.Conversion disorder— mind versus body: a review.Innov Clin Neurosci. 2015;12(5-6):27-33.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) information.
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.Dissociative identity disorder.
O’Neal MA, Baslet G.Treatment for patients with a functional neurological disorder (conversion disorder): An integrated approach.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(4):307-314. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2017.17040450
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