Long-lasting conversion disorder and hospitalization in a young girl: importance of early recognition and intervention

Abstract

Psychosomatic symptoms are frequently observed in children in response to psychosocial stressors and may be a reason for referral. However, it may be difficult to identify psychosomatic symptoms in a non-psychiatric clinical setting, and it is not unusual in pediatric practice for patients to be admitted and/or investigated for psychosomatic symptoms. Here, we present a case of a 10-year-old girl who was admitted and investigated for a suddenly developing motor loss in her legs for more than three months. However, no medical causes were detected to explain her clinical picture and she was eventually diagnosed with conversion disorder. We discuss herein the importance of early recognition and intervention and clues to the diagnosis of conversion disorder in children in a non-psychiatric clinical setting.