Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What is the diagnosis for a patient presenting with symptoms of faking neurological issues or muscle loss?

1. Conversion disorder

2. Panic disorder

3. Somatization disorder

4. Factitious disorder

The correct answer is: Conversion disorder

The correct diagnosis for a patient presenting with symptoms of feigned neurological issues or muscle loss aligns with conversion disorder. This psychological condition manifests when a person experiences neurological symptoms, such as weakness or paralysis, without a neurological basis. Often, these symptoms arise in response to stress or trauma, and the individual may not be consciously aware that they are not genuinely experiencing these physical issues. Conversion disorder is characterized by the patient's sincere belief in their symptoms, distinguishing it from other disorders where the intention to deceive is more significant. While individuals with factitious disorder deliberately produce or feign illness for personal gain or attention, those with conversion disorder typically do not have such intentional motivations. Understanding this distinction emphasizes the complexity of psychological mechanisms behind physical symptoms, reinforcing the relevance of emotional factors in the presentation of neurological-like symptoms without identifiable medical explanations.