Treatment and Management of Conversion Disorder
Conversion disorder is a psychologically produced alteration or loss of physical functioning suggestive of a physical disorder. Conversion symptoms are often superimposed on organic disease and can be overlooked. Psychological techniques are central to the management include the following: avoiding confrontation with the patients; avoiding reinforcement or trivializing the symptoms; reviewing results of tests and exams and creating an expectation of recovery; educating the patient before a treatment is begun; evaluating the patient's emotional adjustment and considering it at a treatment; using caution in labeling the condition; considering referral for psychotherapy; establishing particularly a treatment plan and making a definite treatment program; adjusting patient' s environment; letting participate a family at appropriate time; developing a reinforcement program for a treatment of chronic symptoms; developing a home program for outpatients. Use behavior therapy reinforcement may be helpful with more chronic or resistant symptoms, especially when there is a history of vague or excessive somatic complaints or significant secondary gain.