Conversion disorder is a chronic, long term condition where people experience loss in voluntary physical or sensory functionality that cannot be fully explained medically. There is often severe impairment in functioning or a history of medical treatment.
Symptoms and characteristics
Typical symptoms of conversion disorder can include:
- involuntary movements
- lack of coordination
- reported pain
- muscle weakness
- paralysis
- reported pain
- seizures
- involuntary movements
- sensory disturbances such as double vision, blindness or deafness.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are various factors that would greatly assist people with conversion disorder to better manage their symptoms in the workplace. These include:
- accommodating any perceived deficit or impairment via workplace modification
- flexible work arrangements, including use of leave entitlements
- providing a good support network
- reducing responsibilities or workload and subsequent stress levels.
There are adjustments and solutions for the following job requirements:
References
AllPsych 2004, Somatoform Disorder, AllPsych and Heffner Media Group Inc., Florida, viewed 17 September 2011, http://allpsych.com/disorders/somatoform/conversiondisorder.html.
MDA Internet 1991-2011, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 17 September 2011, http://www.mdainternet.com.