What does conversion disorder involve?

Conversion disorder, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, primarily involves symptoms of altered motor or sensory function that cannot be explained by medical or neurological conditions. Individuals with this disorder may experience symptoms such as paralysis, weakness, gait abnormalities, tremors, or sensory disturbances, like numbness or vision problems, which manifest as a direct result of psychological factors rather than any identifiable physical cause.

The disorder often arises in response to stress or trauma, leading individuals to experience these neurological symptoms as a way to cope with their emotional distress. This distinction is crucial because it highlights how psychological factors can influence physical functioning, making option B the most representative of what characterizes conversion disorder.

In contrast, the other options focus on different psychological or emotional issues. While psychological trauma may be a contributing factor to the disorder, it is not the hallmark of conversion disorder itself. Generalized anxiety symptoms and obsessive thoughts pertain to anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, respectively, which are not central to conversion disorder.