A case of bilateral ptosis with unsteady gait: Suggestibility and culture in conversion disorder

M. M. Al-Sharbati; N. Viernes; A. Al-Hussaini; Z. A.J. Zaidan; P. Chand; S. Al-Adawi

doi:10.2190/YCND-9Y51-KG8T-61E5

A case of bilateral ptosis with unsteady gait: Suggestibility and culture in conversion disorder

M. M. Al-Sharbati, N. Viernes, A. Al-Hussaini, Z. A.J. Zaidan, P. Chand, S. Al-Adawi^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report a case of a 14-year-old girl who presented, following a sudden onset, with bilateral ptosis, gait disturbance, difficulty swallowing and loss of appetite, fight hypochondriacal pain, and frontal headache. Protracted neurological and medical examinations were unremarkable; neither was precipitating psychological stresses evident. The condition, which manifest as typical conversion disorder, lasted for one year. "Treatment" involving electrical stimulation of both eyes muscles and legs with positive reassurance resolved the symptom. This case supports the view that conversion disorder, not only involves a strong element of suggestion, but also incorporates socio-cultural sanctioned prescription.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	225-232
Number of pages	8
Journal	International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine
Volume	31
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.2190/YCND-9Y51-KG8T-61E5
Publication status	Published - 2001
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Bilateral ptosis
Conversion disorders
Gait disturbances
Oman culture
Teenager

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Psychiatry and Mental health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.2190/YCND-9Y51-KG8T-61E5

Cite this

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AU - Al-Sharbati, M. M.

AU - Viernes, N.

AU - Al-Hussaini, A.

AU - Zaidan, Z. A.J.

AU - Chand, P.

AU - Al-Adawi, S.

PY - 2001

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A case of bilateral ptosis with unsteady gait: Suggestibility and culture in conversion disorder

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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