What is Conversion Disorder? Symptoms and all you need to know amid Zhao Lusi’s diagnosis reveal

On January 1, 2025, the Chinese actress Zhao Lusi revealed her diagnosis of Conversion Disorder with Anxiety Condition. She captioned the update as:

"Brief is life, but love is long."

For the unversed, Dissociative [Conversion] Disorder with Anxiety Condition refers to psychological stress or emotional conflicts that are often transformed into physical symptoms.

According to Cleveland Clinic, the official definition of Conversion Disorder reads:

"Functional neurological symptom disorder — better known as “conversion disorder” — is a mental health condition that causes physical symptoms. The symptoms happen because your brain “converts” the effects of a mental health issue into disruptions of your brain or nervous system. The symptoms are real but don’t match up with recognized brain-related conditions."

Zhao Lusi was taken to the hospital on December 18, 2024, followed by unexpected health issues. She has reportedly been battling mental health issues.

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Symptoms and treatment related to Zhao Lusi's diagnosis, Conversion disorder

The symptoms of Zhao Lusi's Conversion Disorder diagnosis could be varied depending on the part of the brain affected. Some of the symptoms stemming from the functional neurological disorder have been listed below:

1. Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
2. Problems related to hearing, vision, taste, touch, smell, and others
3. Hearing loss, tunnel vision, numbness, inability to feel your skin
4. Feeling Pain
5. Tremors
6. Twitches
7. Unusual muscle tensions
8. Paralysis
9. Fainting or passing out (syncope)
10. Dizziness
11. Chronic fatigue
12. Muscle Weakness

There are several causes related to Conversion Disorder. According to Cleveland Clinic, the scientists and experts do not know the actual reason behind the occurrence of such a condition. However, some of the listed causes for the symptoms have been provided below:

1. An individual has a history of childhood abuse
2. Depression
3. Anxiety
4. Traumatic event
5. Stressful event

The condition can be treated with multiple psychotherapies as listed below:

1. BMI < 18.5, malnutrition identified. Referral to the Nutrition Department is recommended.
2. Anxiety therapy: 10 sessions.
3. Psychological counseling: 10 sessions.
4. Eat regularly and manage emotions.
5. Prescribed medication: 1/4 dose as directed.
6. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
7. Hypnotherapy
8. Group or family therapy
9. Physical therapy
10. Medication
11. Biofeedback

Subsequently, there are several tests, which can be used to diagnose the condition. Some of the tests have been listed below:

1. Computerized tomography (CT) scan
2. Evoked potentials test
3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
4. Electroencephalogram (EEG)
5. Blood tests

Meanwhile, Anxiety Condition refers to the presence of ongoing and heightened levels of anxiety, which can be transformed into excessive worry, fear, or physiological symptoms.

Subsequently, when an individual is diagnosed with Conversion Disorder with Anxiety Condition, it indicates that they are suffering from physical symptoms. It included paralysis, tremors, or loss of sensation.

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Meanwhile, Zhao Lusi shared a letter on the Weibo application where she spoke about her mental health condition and past traumas on January 1, 2025.