Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) Therapist Development Center Practice Exam

What symptoms would suggest a diagnosis of Conversion Disorder in a 17-year-old girl with sudden paralysis following stress?

1. Memory loss

2. Hallucinations

3. Motor tics

4. Unexplained paralysis

The correct answer is: Unexplained paralysis

The presence of unexplained paralysis is a key symptom that suggests a diagnosis of Conversion Disorder. This condition, historically known as hysteria, is characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be fully explained by medical evaluation or are inconsistent with known neurological or medical conditions. In the case of the 17-year-old girl who experiences sudden paralysis after a stressful event, this symptom aligns well with the hallmark features of Conversion Disorder, where psychological stressors manifest as physical symptoms. The paralysis is not due to any identifiable neurological deficit but rather emerges in response to her psychological state. Other symptoms such as memory loss, hallucinations, or motor tics, while they may occur in different psychological or psychiatric conditions, are not primary indicators of Conversion Disorder. They point towards other diagnoses, such as dissociative disorders or tic disorders, which do not fit the context of sudden paralysis in response to stress. Hence, unexplained paralysis stands out as the most relevant symptom linking to a potential diagnosis of Conversion Disorder in this scenario.