University of Central Florida (UCF) CLP3143 Psychopathology Practice Exam 1

The term that is now referred to as conversion disorder is historically known as hysteria. This term was used to describe various physical and psychological symptoms presented by individuals, particularly women, that could not be explained by medical science at the time. Patients exhibiting signs such as blindness or paralysis without any identifiable organic cause were often considered to be suffering from hysteria.

Conversion disorder involves neurological symptoms that manifest following psychological distress or trauma, and the condition reflects a way for the individual to cope with unresolved conflict or stress. Recognizing hysteria as a predecessor to conversion disorder illustrates the evolution of psychological understanding in the field of psychopathology.

In contrast, the other terms listed—melancholia, mania, and hallucination—refer to different psychological conditions and are not connected to the physical symptoms of conversion disorder. Melancholia pertains to severe depression, mania involves episodes of elevated mood and hyperactivity, and hallucinations relate to sensory experiences without an external stimulus, thus not aligning with the symptoms described in conversion disorder.