Conversion Disorder is also known as which term?

• A. Somatic Symptom Disorder
• B. Illness Anxiety Disorder
• C. Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder)
• D. Factitious Disorder

Answer: (C)

This item tests knowledge of how this condition is named in modern clinical terminology. The condition is currently labeled Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder, reflecting that the symptoms are neurological in appearance but arise from functional impairment rather than a detectable medical disease. The traditional name, Conversion Disorder, is still widely recognized and is shown in the option as Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder), highlighting both terms for the same condition.

The reason this option is best is that it captures both the historical name and the current DSM-5/DSM-5-TR label, acknowledging that the two names refer to the same set of symptoms. In practice, patients present with neurological-like symptoms—such as weakness, abnormal movements, or non-epileptic seizures—that cannot be explained by medical testing, and crucially, these symptoms are not intentionally produced.

For context, the other disorders differ in what drives symptoms and how they are interpreted clinically. Somatic Symptom Disorder involves persistent somatic symptoms with excessive thoughts or anxiety about those symptoms. Illness Anxiety Disorder centers on preoccupation with having or acquiring a serious illness, often with little to no physical symptoms. Factitious Disorder involves deliberately feigning or inducing symptoms to assume the sick role, with intentional deception.