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Chapter 16: Problem 3

What is the difference between a conversion disorder and hypochondriasis?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Conversion disorder refers to patients presenting with unexplainable neurological symptoms, often linked to psychological stress. However, Hypochondriasis (now Illness Anxiety Disorder) is when an individual is excessively anxious about having a severe disease, even with no or mild symptoms.

Step by step solution

01

Understand Conversion Disorder

Start by understanding Conversion disorder. It is a psychological condition where patients present with physical symptoms like blindness, paralysis, or other nervous system (neurologic) symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation. Sometimes it might happen due to emotional distress or psychological factors.
02

Understand Hypochondriasis

Now, get an understanding of Hypochondriasis. Now known as Illness Anxiety Disorder, it is a condition where a person is excessively worried about having a serious illness. They might have no or only mild symptoms, but their anxiety about having a disease is significant, often leading them to doctor-shopping or excessive medical tests.
03

Highlight the differences

In this last step, the differences between the two disorders are highlighted based on the definitions and characteristics understood in Step 1 and 2. The crucial distinction lies in the presentation of symptoms - in Conversion disorder, there are physical symptoms that cannot be explained medically, often following a stressful event. On the other hand, in Hypochondriasis, the person is excessively worried over having a serious illness despite having no or only mild symptoms.

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