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Conversion disorder presenting as gait disturbance in an adolescent
T Quane1, C V Chambers, D Snyderman
1National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md, USA.
Archives of Family Medicine
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Conversion disorder, a psychiatric condition, causes functional loss mimicking physical illness, often in young people. Prompt diagnosis in adolescents is key for effective treatment and managing symptoms like leg weakness.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Conversion disorder involves functional neurological symptoms without a clear organic cause.
- It is a diagnosis of exclusion, often presenting in adolescents and young adults.
- Symptoms can mimic various neurological conditions, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- This case report details an adolescent patient presenting with progressive bilateral lower-extremity weakness.
- The patient also exhibited an impaired gait, suggestive of a neurological deficit.
- The presentation mimicked organic neurological disease.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with conversion disorder.
- Prompt diagnosis was crucial to avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful investigations.
- Early identification facilitated the initiation of appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of recognizing conversion disorder in adolescents presenting with neurological symptoms.
- Emphasizes the need for a timely and accurate diagnosis to guide effective patient management.
- Underscores the psychiatric nature of conversion disorder, distinct from structural neurological pathology.