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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffFor many people, symptoms of conversion disorder get better without treatment, especially after reassurance from the doctor that their symptoms aren't caused by a serious underlying problem.
You may benefit from treatment if you have conversion disorder signs and symptoms that linger or keep coming back, you have severe symptoms, or you have other mental or physical health conditions. Treatment will depend on your particular signs and symptoms and may include:
- Counseling (psychotherapy). Seeing a psychologist or professional counselor can help treat symptoms of conversion disorder and prevent it from coming back. This can be especially helpful if you have anxiety, a mood disorder such as depression or other mental health issues.
- Physical therapy. Working with a physical therapist may prevent complications of certain symptoms of conversion disorder. For example, regular movement of arms or legs may ward off muscle tightness and weakness if you have paralysis or loss of mobility.
- Treating related stress and other conditions. Conversion disorder may improve when you get treatment for stress, anxiety or another underlying problem. Your doctor may prescribe a sedative or anti-anxiety medication, such as a benzodiazepine (Valium, Xanax, Ativan), or a beta blocker, such as nadolol (Corgard) or atenolol (Tenormin). If you have depression, your doctor may prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), or another type of antidepressant medication.
- Hypnosis. Undergoing hypnosis with a trained expert may help a person identify and resolve psychological issues. Hypnosis is usually done along with another form of psychotherapy in treating conversion disorder.
- Transcranial magnetic stimulation. Some reports have shown that people with conversion disorder may benefit from this type of treatment, which involves exciting brain activity by using weak electrical currents. This stimulation is believed to alter the brain's biochemistry and can improve symptoms of various mental disorders.
- Conversion disorder. In: First MB, et al. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.
- Stonnington CM, et al. Conversion disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry. 2006;163:1510.
- Chew K. Conversion disorder. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115619319-3/788576277/1701/146.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50006-9--subchapter42_3054. Accessed Jan. 1, 2009.
- Conversion disorder. In: Moore D, et al. Moore & Jefferson: Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. 2nd ed. Philadelphia. Pa.: Mosby; 2004.http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/115619319-3/788576277/1243/93.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02911-6..50093-2_871. Accessed Jan. 1, 2009.
