What Is Conversion Disorder?

To understand conversion disorder, individuals must first understand somatization, which conversion disorder is a form of. Somatization is experiencing psychological distress through physical (somatic) symptoms, and often seeking medical assistance for physical ailments rather than psychological ones first. As stated, conversion disorder is a form of somatization, and as such, it is related to somatic symptom disorder. Conversion disorder itself is a condition in which an individual experiences symptomsthat affecttheir nervous system (e.g., paralysis) without an explanation from a physical injury or illness.