What is the prognosis for conversion disorder with appropriate treatment?

• A. Antidepressants alone guarantee full recovery
• B. Symptoms are typically permanent despite therapy
• C. Surgery is often required
• D. Most symptoms resolve in a few weeks.

Answer: (D)

When a patient’s physical symptoms have a psychological origin, recognizing and treating both the mind and body together leads to the best outcomes. With prompt, coordinated care—psychotherapy to address underlying stress or conflicts, and rehab approaches like physical therapy to retrain movement—the majority of patients experience substantial improvement. In many cases, symptoms resolve within weeks, especially when treatment is started early and includes functional restoration rather than focusing solely on medical testing.

Pharmacologic therapy alone doesn’t guarantee recovery, and surgery is not indicated for conversion disorder. The course can vary, but the strong trend with appropriate treatment is rapid and meaningful improvement within a relatively short timespan.