Conversion disorder is a rare and complex condition that can significantly affect the quality of life of otherwise healthy young people. The condition often occurs in patients after they experience periods of extreme stress but for many the onset is unexplained.

Dr Andrew Court from The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) Mental Health Service said the condition is very real, and illustrates the power of the mind over the body.

“Conversion disorder is a disorder where patients present with signs and symptoms of a neurological illness such as having a stroke or seizure of some description. But there’s no actual underlying physical illness – instead it’s the body’s response to some kind of stress,” he said.

Sixteen year-old Holly was diagnosed with the condition over a year ago.  

“I first got sick because I got punched in the back playing netball one night. I came off the court crying because my back was in so much pain. The days progressed and I just got worse,” Holly said.

Holly spent weeks in hospital learning how to walk again, but despite numerous tests, doctors could not find any physical cause for her symptoms.

Dr Court said it was very hard for those affected to understand how they can have such significant overwhelming symptoms when there’s no physical cause.

With adequate diagnoses, rehabilitation and investigation to find the underlying psychological cause, patients with conversion disorder are likely to make a full recovery.