In a conversion disorder, which sign would a Psychiatric Technician expect to observe?

In a conversion disorder, which sign would a Psychiatric Technician expect to observe?

• A. He is exceedingly worried about catching a cold.
• B. He has developed inability to use his right hand following a separation from his wife.
• C. He is very happy and energetic for a time; lacks energy and interest at other times.
• D. He is unable to distinguish actions that are right from those that are wrong.

Answer: (B)

Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms—such as weakness or paralysis—that cannot be explained by a medical condition and that often arise after emotional stress. An inability to use the right hand following a separation from his wife fits this pattern: a sudden motor deficit linked to a psychosocial stressor, without an organic cause found on exam. It reflects a functional neurological symptom rather than a true neurological disease. The other scenarios don’t match this pattern. Excess worry about catching a cold reflects anxiety about illness rather than a neurological deficit. Mood fluctuations with periods of high energy and low energy point to a mood disorder like bipolar illness. Difficulty distinguishing right from wrong suggests a cognitive or moral reasoning issue, not a conversion symptom.

Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms—such as weakness or paralysis—that cannot be explained by a medical condition and that often arise after emotional stress. An inability to use the right hand following a separation from his wife fits this pattern: a sudden motor deficit linked to a psychosocial stressor, without an organic cause found on exam. It reflects a functional neurological symptom rather than a true neurological disease.

The other scenarios don’t match this pattern. Excess worry about catching a cold reflects anxiety about illness rather than a neurological deficit. Mood fluctuations with periods of high energy and low energy point to a mood disorder like bipolar illness. Difficulty distinguishing right from wrong suggests a cognitive or moral reasoning issue, not a conversion symptom.