Final answer:
Secondary gain in conversion disorder refers to inadvertent benefits gained from the symptoms, which may maintain or worsen the disorder; addressing these gains is critical for effective treatment of mental health disorders like PTSD.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of theories of conversion disorder, secondary gain refers to the benefits that a person may receive from displaying symptoms of a disorder. While the symptoms are involuntary, the recognition, care, or relief from certain responsibilities tied to these symptoms may serve as a reinforcement, maintaining or exacerbating the disorder. Understanding secondary gain is important because it can guide the approach taken to treat various mental health disorders such as conversion disorder and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), where the acknowledgment and subsequent removal of these gains might be beneficial to the treatment process. For instance, a person with PTSD might be relieved from stressful duties, receiving sympathy and support, which over time, they might subconsciously wish to maintain through symptom presentation. Hence, addressing secondary gains can be a critical element of therapeutic interventions.