Hysterical conversion reactions: some patient characteristics and treatment team reactions

Paralysis due to an hysterical conversion reaction may require an active rehabilitation program to prevent complications such as contractures and adhesions. The delivery of this care can create an emotional burden on the rehabilitation staff due to their awareness of the psychiatric etiology of this condition. Good patient care may be undermined by the thought that the patient is malingering. This paper explores features of hysteria--its relation to emotional stress, absence of organic pathology and symbolism--and contrasts it to malingering. The impact of this condition on the treatment staff is explored with two case studies. An understanding of hysteria could make the delivery of proper care to these troubled patients less stressful.