A patient who presents repeatedly with intermittent total...

A patient who presents repeatedly with intermittent total blindness despite a full workup eliminating physical causes would best be categorized as which of the following?
(A) Somatization disorder.
(B) Conversion disorder.
(C) Hypochondriasis.
(D) Depersonalization disorder.

Key Concepts

Depersonalization Disorder

Depersonalization disorder involves persistent or recurrent feelings of detachment from one’s self or surroundings, where individuals may feel like an outside observer of their own thoughts or body. It is marked by a disconnection from one’s sense of identity or reality, which distinguishes it from disorders involving somatic complaints or conversion symptoms.

Hypochondriasis

Hypochondriasis is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with the idea that one has a serious, undiagnosed medical illness, despite medical evaluations and reassurances to the contrary. Individuals with this disorder tend to misinterpret normal bodily sensations as signs of a severe disease, leading to persistent anxiety and health-related behaviors.

Conversion Disorder

Conversion disorder is a mental health condition in which psychological stress or conflict is expressed as physical symptoms without an identifiable organic cause. It typically involves sudden onset of neurological symptoms, such as paralysis, blindness, or numbness, that are not consistent with medical findings. This disorder highlights the mind-body connection and the impact of emotional distress on physical functioning.

Somatization Disorder

Somatization disorder involves the occurrence of multiple, medically unexplained physical symptoms that affect various organ systems over a prolonged period. Unlike conversion disorder which often presents with dramatic neurological deficits, somatization disorder is characterized by a chronic pattern of bodily complaints that lead to significant distress and impairment in daily functioning.

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