Conversion disorders: past and present. Theoreticalclinical trends of a psychoanalytical "symbol"

The Author describes the theoretical-clinical evolution of conversion disorders positing them as a "symbol" of a wider debate that indirectly, illustrates the profound changes occurred in recent years in psychoanalysis. Starting from Freud’s preliminary theories, seen as the first serious attempt to explain "the mysterious leap from mental to physical", the Author then discusses the issue of diagnostic framing in a psychoanalytical and psychiatric context of the "conversion" process fraught with the lexical confusion which to date still applies to terms such as conversion, somatisation and psycho-somatic disorders. The historical introduction closes with a look at the way of conceptualising conversion disorders in current psychoanalytical scenarios, with particular attention to the multiple code theory and the deep implications of the model proposed by Bucci. In addition, the "enigmatic" and "substantial" nature of the issue investigated provides an opportunity for a more general reflection on the changes occurred in the past decades in the way of approaching the perennial and controversial mind-body debate and in particular, on the current trend to overcome the old dichotomy and to consider the issue from the purview of systemic observation, in the context of a unitary, circular mutual influence.

Keywords: Conversion disorders, somatisation disorders, psychosomatic disorders, mind-body relationship, multiple code theory

Maura Silvestri, Il disturbo di conversione ieri e oggi: evoluzioni teoricocliniche di un "simbolo" psicoanalitico in "RICERCA PSICOANALITICA" 3/2011, pp 95-111, DOI: 10.3280/RPR2011-003008