Treatment
In some cases, patients may begin to recover spontaneously. After physical causes for the symptoms have been ruled out, patients may begin to feel better and symptoms may begin to fade. In some cases, patients may need assistance in recovering from their symptoms. Treatment options may include the following:
- Counseling and psychotherapy—Discussing the stressful event with a counselor may help you cope with the underlying cause of the physical symptoms. Continued work to learn how to deal with stressors throughout life will also be important, as about 25% of patients with these disorders often have future episodes.
- Pharmacological therapy—In some cases, antidepressants may be used to speed recovery. Studies have shown that antidepressants may be helpful for patients with conversion disorder.
Physical and/or Occupational Therapy
Patients may require therapy to overcome disuse of a limb, for example, and to relearn normal behaviors.
