Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within the...
Psychosexual Theory of Development01:14

Psychosexual Theory of Development

Sigmund Freud's psychosexual theory of development suggests that early childhood experiences significantly shape personality and behavior. Freud proposed that development is discontinuous, occurring in five distinct stages, each defined by a focus on different erogenous zones. He believed that failure to resolve the conflicts specific to each stage successfully could result in fixation, potentially influencing behavior as adults.
The Five Stages of Psychosexual Development
Freud's psychosexual...
Conduct Disorder01:28

Conduct Disorder

Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...
Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder01:29

Theoretical Approaches to Psychological Disorder

The development of psychological disorders, which are characterized by deviant, maladaptive, and personally distressing behaviors, has been explored through several theoretical approaches.
Biological approach
The biological approach posits that internal, organic factors are the primary causes of such disorders. This perspective emphasizes brain structure and function, genetic predispositions, and neurotransmitter imbalances. For example, schizophrenia has been associated with both genetic...
Dissociative Identity Disorder01:30

Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously termed multiple personality disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identities or personality states. Each identity exhibits unique patterns of behavior, voice, and mannerisms and may possess separate memories and emotional responses. The alternating control between identities can result in memory gaps and challenges in recalling daily activities, often exacerbating the individual's...
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder01:28

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by recurrent obsessions, compulsions, or both, which consume significant time and interfere with daily functioning. Obsessions involve persistent, intrusive, and unwanted thoughts, images, or urges that evoke anxiety. Common examples include irrational fears of contamination or harm. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts performed to reduce the anxiety caused by obsessions. For instance, individuals...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Brain imaging research is thriving in functional neurological disorder.

NeuroImage. Clinical·2026
Same author

Response of the ILAE FDS task force to: A call for reflection on unintended consequences: Should 'Functional/Dissociative Seizures' replace 'Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures'?

Seizure·2026
Same author

Dissociation in functional/dissociative seizures: Alignment with neurobiology across the lifespan.

Epilepsia·2026
Same author

Letter to the Editor regarding 'Roll call: Why the child and adolescent mental health sector must be present for severe school refusal'.

The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry·2026
Same author

Functional/dissociative seizures: Proposal for a new diagnostic label and definition by the ILAE task force.

Epilepsia·2025
Same author

The adjunct role of pharmacotherapy in multimodal treatment of paediatric functional neurological disorder.

Frontiers in psychiatry·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
05:52

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis

Published on: November 21, 2013

The developmental origins of conversion disorders.

Kasia Kozlowska1

  • 1University of Sydney, Australia. kasiak@chw.edu.au

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
|December 22, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Attachment theory reveals conversion disorder stems from two innate animal defense behaviors: freeze and appeasement. Understanding these distinct developmental pathways is crucial for tailored treatments in children.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Clinical Psychology

Background:

  • Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding conversion reactions.
  • Conversion symptoms may originate from innate animal defense behaviors: freeze and appeasement.
  • These behaviors are linked to distinct neurobiological mechanisms and developmental pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the phylogenetic roots of conversion reactions through attachment theory.
  • To identify two distinct developmental pathways for conversion disorder.
  • To differentiate treatment approaches based on these pathways.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing attachment theory as a developmental framework.
  • Analyzing innate animal defense behaviors (freeze and appeasement) in relation to conversion symptoms.

More Related Videos

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
09:29

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Published on: January 9, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 9, 2026

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis
05:52

Handwriting Analysis Indicates Spontaneous Dyskinesias in Neuroleptic Naïve Adolescents at High Risk for Psychosis

Published on: November 21, 2013

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
09:29

Signal Attenuation as a Rat Model of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Published on: January 9, 2015

  • Examining context-dependent developmental experiences and their neurobiological underpinnings.

    • Main Results:

    • Conversion reactions are linked to two distinct, threat-elicited emotional responses rooted in animal defense behaviors.
    • Pathway 1 involves freeze response components, inhibition of negative affect, and caregiver punishment.
    • Pathway 2 involves appeasement behaviors and unpredictable parental actions threatening safety or health.

    Conclusions:

    • Children with conversion disorder are not a homogenous group.
    • Two distinct functional groups exist, each requiring different therapeutic interventions.
    • Attachment theory offers a novel perspective for understanding and treating conversion disorders.