psycho-flexed hand associated with conversion reaction: a case report

conversion disorder is an illness which manifests itself as pseudoneurologic syndromes that hides an emotional conflict. this disorder covers 5 to 15 percent of the psychiatric consultations. in this case report, a young iranian woman who was referred due to flexion contracture of the left wrist and inability to open her hand voluntarily is presented. during the course of therapy, some evidences in favor of existence of a significant emotional conflict were detected. through hypnosis she was able to open her hand for a while, however after a few days it was returned to the previous position. it seems a more sophisticated approach that uncovers and resolves her intrapsychic conflicts should be recruited for successful treatment. iran j med sci 2006; 31(3): 176-178.   keywords ● conversion disorder ● psycho-flexed hand ● hypnosis