Question

An adolescent, age 18, is highly dependent on her parents and fears leaving home to go away to college. Shortly before the fall semester starts, she complains that her legs are paralyzed and is rushed to the emergency department. When physical examination rules out a physical cause for her paralysis, the physician admits her to the psychiatric unit where she is diagnosed with conversion disorder. The client asks the nurse, "Why has this happened to me?" What is the nurse's best response?

1. You've developed this paralysis so you can stay with your parents. You must deal with this conflict if you want to walk again.
2. It must be awful not to be able to move your legs. You may feel better if you realize the problem is psychological, not physical.
3. Your problem is real but there is no physical basis for it. We'll work on what is going on in your life to find out why it's happened.
4. It isn't uncommon for someone with your personality to develop a conversion disorder during times of stress.

Answer 1

The nurse should inform the student diagnosed with conversion disorder that her problem is real but lacks a physical basis, indicating a psychological cause. Conversion disorder results from psychological stress manifesting as physical symptoms, and treatment involves addressing the underlying emotional factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student asks, "Why has this happened to me?" and the best response from a nurse would be option 3: "Your problem is real but there is no physical basis for it. We'll work on what is going on in your life to find out why it's happened." This response acknowledges the reality of the symptoms without affirming a physical cause and opens a pathway for psychological examination and therapeutic intervention.

Conversion disorder is a condition where the patient experiences neurological symptoms, such as paralysis, without a verifiable physical cause, often as a psychological response to stress or emotional conflict. Unlike spinal cord injuries that lead to paralysis due to physical damage interrupting nerve signals, conversion disorder arises from the mind's ability to convert mental stress into physical symptoms.

It is important to approach the patient with empathy and support while addressing psychological factors that may contribute to their condition. Effective treatment usually involves a multidisciplinary approach including psychotherapy, stress management, physical therapy, and sometimes medication for associated symptoms.