[Organic versus functional factors in the diagnosis of conversion disorders (author's transl)]

Conversion symptoms involving conspicous pseudoneurological signs of the motor system are very seldom today. To differentiate in these cases between organic and functional disturbances is highly difficult. Two patients are described. A 25 year old soldier with the symptomatology of a repetitive transverse lesion of the spinal cord and a 70 year old pensioner with a blepharospasm. They both showed an accompanying depression. Diagnostic criteria, psychodynamic models and especially the organic background of conversion symptoms are discussed.