Conversion Disorder

A disorder in which individuals experience a loss or impairment of voluntary motor or sensory functioning that suggests a physical disorder but that is actually a direct expression of a psychological conflict or need. The disturbance is not under voluntary control and symptoms usually appear suddenly in a setting of extreme psychological stress. Classic conversion symptoms include paralysis, an inability to speak, seizures, coordination disturbances, blindness, tunnel vision, loss of sense of smell, anesthesia and numbness. Vomiting (to represent revulsion and disgust) and false pregnancy may also be symptoms.