Rehabilitation of conversion disorders: an operant approach

Abstract

Conversion disorder, initially described by Freud over a century ago, has been treated in many ways over the years. A behavioral model of the onset of conversion disorders was first described 50 years ago, and led to efforts to treat it in a behavioral fashion, initially in psychiatric settings. A quarter century ago, the first systematic operant behavioral approach to conversion disorder in an inpatient rehabilitation setting was described. Subsequently, there have been several further reports of this approach, both in psychiatric and rehabilitation settings. Although literature on the topic remains sparse, the operant approach generally seems to be effective and durable.