The question of symptom lateralization in conversion disorder.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not conversion symptoms are lateralized. Studies have shown a predominant left-oriented manifestation of symptoms for most somatoform disorders. The reports in the literature on the lateralization of conversion symptoms, however, are rather conflicting. They show left-sided, right-sided, or no symptom lateralization in conversion disorders.


METHODS
One hundred fourteen patients with conversion disorder were screened for symptom lateralization.


RESULTS
Those patients with unilateral symptoms (32.5%) showed no significant bias toward left or right symptom presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on these results, and the conflicting findings from previous studies, we conclude that there is insufficient support for lateralization theories in conversion disorder.
Roelofs
K
K
Department of Clinical Psychology and Personality, University of Nijmegen, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. roelofs@psych.kun.nl
Näring
G W
GW
Moene
F C
FC
Hoogduin
C A
CA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003291:Conversion Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D012803:Sick Role