Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)

One or more motor or sensory symptoms incompatible with known neurological or medical conditions.

Etiology (Biopsychosocial Model)

Biological: Neural dysconnectivity, emotional–motor dissociation

Psychological: Trauma, conflict, repression (Freudian legacy)

Social: Role modeling, secondary gain, culture-bound symptoms

Symptoms & Diagnosis (Mnemonic: FACTS)

F - Functional impairment present

A - Abnormal movements or sensations (e.g., paralysis, blindness)

C - Clinical inconsistency with known pathophysiology

T - Tests are normal

S - Symptoms cause distress or medical attention

Treatment

Education: About the diagnosis itself can be therapeutic

CBT and physical therapy

Stress management, hypnosis (in some cases)

Info

DSM-5-TR Code

F44.x (depends on symptom type)

Prevalence

Rare; estimated 2–5 per 100,000 annually; more common in females and under stress