Conversion disorder is a chronic, long term condition where people experience loss in voluntary physical or sensory functionality that cannot be fully explained medically. There is often severe impairment in functioning or a history of medical treatment.
Symptoms and characteristics
Typical symptoms of conversion disorder can include:
- reported pain
- muscle weakness
- paralysis
- lack of coordination
- seizures
- involuntary movements
- sensory disturbances (e.g. double vision, blindness, deafness)
Statistics
The prevalence of conversion disorder varies widely ranging from 1 to 30 per 10 000 people. It is also much more common in females (MDA Internet 2005).
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are various factors that would greatly assist people with conversion disorder to better manage their symptoms in the workplace. These include:
- flexible work arrangements, including leave
- reducing responsibilities or workload and subsequent stress levels
- accommodating any perceived deficit or impairment via workplace modification
- a good support network.
There are adjustments and solutions for the following job requirements:
References
AllPsych 2004, Somatoform Disorder, AllPsych and Heffner Media Group Inc., Florida, viewed 18 February 2007, < http://allpsych.com/disorders/somatoform/index.html>.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 20 April 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.