conversion disorder n a psychoneurosis in which bodily symptoms (as paralysis of the limbs) appear without physical basis called also conversion hysteria, conversion reaction
* * *
a psychological conflict or need that manifests itself as an organic dysfunction or physical symptom. The sufferer may display symptoms of blindness, deafness, loss of sensation, gait abnormalities, or paralysis of various parts of the body. None of these can be accounted for by organic disease. Conversion disorder was formerly known as hysteria. It is classified with dissociative disorder (as dissociative (conversion) disorders) in ICD-10 (see International Classification of Diseases). It is also included under the classification of somatoform disorders.
* * *
[DSM-IV] a mental disorder characterized by conversion symptoms (loss or alteration of voluntary motor or sensory functioning suggesting physical illness, such as seizures, paralysis, dyskinesia, anesthesia, blindness, or aphonia) having no demonstrable physiological basis and whose psychological basis is suggested by (1) exacerbation of symptoms at times of psychological stress, (2) relief from tension or inner conflicts (primary gain) provided by the symptoms, or (3) secondary gains (support, attention, avoidance of unpleasant responsibilities) provided by the symptoms. Many patients exhibit “la belle indiffйrence,†a lack of concern about the impairment caused by the symptoms; histrionic personality traits are also common. Symptoms are neither intentionally produced nor feigned, and are not limited to pain or sexual dysfunction.Medical dictionary. 2011.