Who Gets Conversion Disorder?
Source: Giphy
While statistics show that Conversion Disorder appears to be more common in women, researchers caution against making gender a necessary factor in diagnosis. Many say that, frankly, women are just more likely to seek treatment—thereby receiving the diagnosis more frequently than men.
There may be a cultural component to the disorder as well. In countries where emotions are heavily repressed and social customs discourage displays of anger, sadness or even joy, the conversion of these emotions into physical dismay might be more likely.
For the patient, whether they are in an emotionally repressed society or not, the experience of living with Conversion Disorder is akin to any other patient’s experience of chronic pain, illness or trauma. For the patient, the symptoms are real, the pain is real and the need for empathy and treatment is great. The ongoing stigma attached to mental illness, chronic pain and other oft-termed “invisible illnesses” may prevent many from seeking treatment. And surely, it prevents all from feeling at home in their own minds and bodies.
