MCAT® ExamPsychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of BehaviorMedium
A patient experiences a sudden onset of symptoms including muscle paralysis, blindness, and difficulty speaking, but medical examinations reveal no underlying physical cause for these neurological deficits. The patient reports significant psychological stress preceding these symptoms. This presentation is most consistent with which of the following diagnoses?
- AGeneralized Anxiety Disorder
- BConversion Disorder
- CSomatic Symptom Disorder
- DIllness Anxiety Disorder
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Conversion Disorder
Conversion disorder is characterized by neurological symptoms (like paralysis or blindness) that are incompatible with recognized neurological or medical conditions, often precipitated by psychological stress.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Generalized Anxiety Disorder is characterized by excessive worry about various events, not specific neurological deficits.
- C. Somatic Symptom Disorder involves physical symptoms causing distress, but without the specific neurological deficit pattern or clear psychological stressor.
- D. Illness Anxiety Disorder involves preoccupation with having a serious illness despite minimal or no somatic symptoms.
Conversion Disorder
A mental disorder in which a person experiences blindness, paralysis, or other neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation.
- Symptoms are real and not faked (not malingering)
- Often associated with psychological stress or trauma
- Formerly known as 'hysteria'
Memory trick: Converts stress to physical distress.