Conversion disorder in children and adolescents: a 4-year follow-up study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcome of conversion disorder in children and adolescents and to identify factors affecting the prognosis. METHOD: Forty adolescents with conversion disorder were reevaluated 4 years after their initial interview. Changes in demographic and clinical data and the presence of any mood and anxiety disorders were recorded using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorder (SCID-I). In addition, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were applied. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients (85%) had completely recovered from their conversion symptoms and two patients had improved (5%), whereas only four (10%) were unchanged. Fourteen (35%) patients received the diagnosis of mood and/or anxiety disorder. Favourable outcome was associated with early diagnosis (P=.04) and good premorbid adjustment (P=.01). CONCLUSION: Conversion disorder has a favourable outcome in children and adolescents. However, mood and/or anxiety disorders are encountered at a considerable rate in these patients even after recovery from conversion symptoms. Long clinical follow-up seems appropriate in children and adolescents with conversion disorder.