What is a Conversion Disorder?

Conversion disorder is a situation where psychological stress (e.g. depression) is manifested in a physical way. Conversion disorder frequently develops after an intensely stressful event. The physical features of Conversion disorder may have no underlying cause and one has not control over the symptoms. In most cases, conversion disorder will present with an inability walk or use the arms, have difficulty hearing or seeing or one may not be able to speak. In rare cases, one can even have seizures, hallucinations, inability to feel pain and inability to urinate. The symptoms may be very dramatic but in the majority there is rapid improvement in several days or weeks.