Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (Conversion Disorder)
Functional neurological symptom disorder is a DSM-5/DSM-5-TR named diagnosis that is also referred to as conversion disorder. [1] This condition involves neurologic symptoms that occur without a neurological cause that explains the symptoms. [2]
Core Definition
Functional neurological symptom disorder describes symptoms affecting movement or sensation that are not explained by a neurological or other medical condition. [2] The DSM-5 Text Revision uses the term conversion disorder as the parenthetical name of functional neurological symptom disorder. [1]
Clinical Presentation
Symptoms typically involve body movement or the senses. [2] Symptoms are assessed using specific clinical patterns rather than only by the absence of structural changes on imaging or abnormalities on EEG. [2]
Diagnostic Criteria
Diagnosis requires one or more symptoms affecting body movement or the senses. [2] The symptoms cannot be explained by a neurological or other medical condition or by another mental health disorder. [2] The symptoms cause significant distress or functional impairment or are severe enough to warrant medical evaluation. [2]
Relationship to Neurologic Disease Explanations
Functional neurological symptom disorder includes symptoms that can be distressing and disabling despite lack of an adequate neurological or medical explanation for the symptom pattern. [2] Testing and clinical evaluation are used to eliminate neurological or other medical disorders as causes of the symptoms. [2]
Terminology and Classification
Conversion disorder and functional neurological symptom disorder are equivalent DSM naming conventions used in DSM-5 and DSM-5-TR. [1] Mayo Clinic lists these disorders using the interchangeable terminology of functional neurologic disorder, functional neurological symptom disorder, and conversion disorder. [2]