Distinguishing conversion disorder from neurologic impairment.

Hysteria/conversion disorder has been described since antiquity. One French neurologist dubbed it "neurological nonsense" because its presentation was so complex and confusing. For nosological purposes for inclusion into the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, multiple revisions of conversion disorder terminology were made for each edition published from 1952-1994. Until recently, conversion disorder was thought to be solely psychological in origin: new studies raise the possibility that what is called conversion disorder is actually early disruption in the functioning of the nervous system in predisposed individuals. Because of its uncanny resemblance to neurological disease, the differential diagnosis is critical and should be exhaustive in its efforts to rule out neurological disease. The neuroscience nurse needs to be aware of this perplexing syndrome called conversion disorder and the never theories that suggest organic causation and interventions to enhance recovery.