According to Freud, what happens in conversion disorder?

Freud proposed that conversion disorder occurs when psychological or emotional distress is transformed into physical symptoms. This perspective highlights the mind-body connection, whereby unresolved psychological conflicts, traumas, or stressors manifest as bodily symptoms. Essentially, the individual may not be consciously aware of the underlying psychological issues, and the conversion to physical symptoms serves as a means of coping or expressing distress that cannot be articulated verbally.

This understanding aligns with Freud's broader theories of hysteria and the use of defense mechanisms, where repressed emotions or conflicts can lead to the development of seemingly unexplained physical issues. In conversion disorder, the symptoms are real to the individual experiencing them, although they are not attributable to any identifiable medical condition. This contrasts with interpretations that suggest purely biological causes or that imply symptoms are entirely imaginary without recognition of the emotional component driving them.