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Metaphor and meaning in conversion disorder: a brief active therapy
1Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University Medical College, New York, New York, USA.
Psychosomatic Medicine
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Psychodynamic therapy effectively treats conversion disorder by interpreting the symbolic meaning of physical symptoms, leading to rapid symptom resolution. This approach highlights the power of understanding unconscious conflicts in somatic symptom resolution.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The psychodynamic concept of conversion disorder, involving somatic dysfunction symbolizing unconscious conflict, faces contemporary challenges.
- This article re-examines the psychodynamic perspective on conversion disorder, detailing its characteristics and diagnostic criteria.
Observation:
- A case study demonstrates the efficacy of brief, active psychodynamic psychotherapy (six sessions) for conversion disorder.
- The psychotherapy involved interpreting the metaphoric meanings of the patient's physical symptoms.
Findings:
- Interpretation of metaphoric meanings of physical symptoms led to immediate symptom disappearance.
- The psychodynamic approach proved useful in resolving conversion disorder symptoms rapidly.
Implications:
- The study supports the utility of psychodynamic psychotherapy in treating conversion disorder.
- The findings suggest that transference dynamics may play a significant role in therapeutic resolution, termed a 'transference cure'.