Basics Flashcards
what is another name for functional neurological symptom disorder?
what is another name for conversion disorder?
Define functional neurological symptom disorder.
an illness of symptoms or deficits that affect voluntary motor or sensory functions, which suggest another medical condition, but that is judged to be caused by psychological factors because the illness if preceded by conflicts or stressors
are sx of functional neurological symptom disorder intentionally produced?
no
what is the primary gain in functional neurological symptom disorder?
psychological rather than monetary or societal
does pain or do sexual sx alone count as sufficient to diagnose functional neurological symptom disorder?
no
Name the 12 most common motor symptoms of conversion disorder.
involuntary movements tics blepharospasm torticollis opisthotonos (risus sardonicus) seizures abnormal gait falling astasia-abasia paralysis weakness aphonia
what are the five most common sensory deficits in conversion disorder?
anesthesia, especially of extremities midline anesthesia blindness tunnel vision deafness
what are the 6 most common visceral sx of functional neurological symptom disorder?
psychogenic vomiting pseudocyesis globus hystericus swooning or syncope urinary retention diarrhea
what perce tof psychiatric consultations in a general hospital involve patients with conversion disorder?
5-15%
ratio of women: men affected by conversion disorder?
2:1 perhaps as much as 10:1
which personality disorder is conversion disorder associated with in men?
antisocial
when should you be particularly concerned that sx which appear c/w conversion disorder are highly likely to represent an occult medical or neurological condition?
if the onset of conversion disorder is middle or old age
what psych diagnoses is conversion disorder often comorbid with?
MDD, anxiety disorders, somatization disorder
what is the typical course of conversion disorder in the setting of comorbid neuro or medical conditions?
the conversion disorder is an elaboration of sx stemming from the original organic lesion
in general, what personality disorders most commonly accompany conversion disorder?
histrionic type, passive-dependent type
what is the etiology of conversion disorder according to psychoanalytic theory?
the sx of the patient’s conversion disorder allows them to partially express an unacceptable impulse in disguise, also may be a nonverbal means of controlling or manipulating others and of making clear that they need special consideration or treatment
what is the etiology of conversion disorder according to learning theory?
the sx of conversion disorder are classically conditioned learned behaviors from illness in childhood - sx of illness are called forth as a means of coping with an otherwise impossible situation
what are the 3 most common conversion disorder symptoms?
paralysis, blindness, mutism
what is the primary gain in conversion disorder? secondary gain?
primary gain is keeping internal conflicts outside of their awareness, secondary gain is the benefits of the sick role
what percent of patients dx as having conversion disorder eventually receive dx of neurological or nonpsychiatric medical disorders that could have caused their presenting sx?
fully 25-50%!!
usual time course of conversion disorder
onset is acute and 95% of cases resolve within 2 weeks
