Conversion Disorder

Lead investigator    

Dr Cornelius Ani
Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and Honorary Senior Lecturer
Academic Unit of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Imperial College London
Norfolk Place
London
W2 1PG

Overview

• Conversion Disorder is an uncommon but highly disabling condition in childhood. 
• Affected children are often severely impaired and at risk of serious long-term physical and psychosocial complications including educational failure, social isolation and psychiatric morbidity. 
• The condition can be associated with extensive use of paediatric and allied health resources.
• Despite the huge personal suffering and health resources implications of Conversion Disorder, the epidemiology and clinical burden in children has not been documented in the UK.
• We  propose the first study aimed to describe the frequency, pattern and short-term outcomes of Conversion Disorder in children in United Kingdom and Ireland. 
• A follow-up questionnaire will be sent to reporting clinicians after 12 months. 
• The study’s findings could help to inform service planning for children with this seriously impairing condition.

Duration: October 2008 – October 2009 (13 months)                                         

Funding: BUPA Foundation                                 

Ethical approval: This study has been approved by the Charing Cross Hospital MREC (Ref: 08/H0711/30) and has been granted PIAG Section 60 Support (Ref: PIAG/BPSU 3-06(FT1)/2008).                          

Further Information    

• Protocol Card (PDF, 61KB, 4 pages)
• CAPSS