You may be unfamiliar with Conversion Disorder, a condition in which a person has blindness, paralysis, or neurological symptoms that cannot be explained, but physicians have been writing about this condition since fourth century, BC! Until the twentieth century, Conversion Disorder was known by the more colloquial term, hysteria. Greece's famous physician, Plato, believed that hysteria was exclusive to females and that it stemmed from a woman's uterus wandering throughout her body. Women experiencing Plato's hysteria developed a myriad of symptoms, ranging from spasms to extreme nervousness. But when the twentieth century rolled around, psychologist Sigmund Freud changed the thinking regarding hysteria. The condition got its NEW name, Conversion Disorder, because Freud believed it was a condition in which psychological stress is converted into real, physical symptoms. Today, Freud's Conversion Disorder is considered a real medical diagnosis, while hysteria is no longer recognized. For a person with modern-day Conversion Disorder, psychological stress is triggered by a traumatic event or a mental health disorder, like depression or anxiety. That MENTAL duress is then displayed suddenly and unexpectedly as a PHYSICAL problem. Commonly, Conversion Disorder manifests as paralysis in an arm or leg inability to speak, or difficulty swallowing and vision problems ranging from double vision to blindness. Other Conversion Disorder symptoms can include hallucinations, numbness, blindness, or seizures. It's important to understand that while these real symptoms are DEFINITELY present in sufferers, there is NO physical, medical explanation for why they occur. Some doctors falsely believe that conversion disorder and similar disorders are not real conditions, and may tell patients that the problem is "all in your head." However, these conditions ARE real! They cause distress and cannot be turned on and off at will. Research on the mind-body connection may eventually increase understanding of these disorders. That means that a physician must rule out ALL other causes of a person's symptoms before diagnosing Conversion Disorder. Generally, females are more likely to have this condition. Although, contrary to the old hysteria beliefs, males can experience it as well! People are more at risk for a conversion disorder if they also have a medical illness, dissociative disorder, or personality disorder. As well, a history of physical or sexual abuse or living in a culture of poverty may also increase the likelihood of developing the disorder. The good news is that MOST people with Conversion Disorder get better with a doctor's reassurance that there is nothing PHYSICALLY wrong with them. Psychotherapy and stress management training may help reduce symptoms. The affected body part or physical function will need physical or occupational therapy until the symptoms disappear. For example, paralyzed limbs must be exercised to prevent muscle wasting. Hypnosis may also be used to help identify the condition's genesis, because there is relief from Conversion Disorder, and because treatment can be relatively simple it's important to talk to a doctor if you or a loved one is suffering from symptoms of this condition.