What characterizes conversion disorder?

Conversion disorder is characterized by an individual experiencing a loss of voluntary bodily function that cannot be explained through medical conditions or neurological issues. This condition often arises as a response to emotional distress or psychological conflict. The symptoms are real and can significantly impact the individual's ability to function, but they do not correspond to a physical or medical cause.

In the context of conversion disorder, the loss of function might manifest as paralysis, difficulty walking, or loss of sensation in certain body parts, often occurring after a stressful event or emotional turmoil. This highlights the connection between psychological factors and physical symptoms, which is central to understanding conversion disorder.

The other choices represent different psychological phenomena that do not align with the core features of conversion disorder. Memory loss without physical injury is more indicative of dissociative disorders, weird personality traits may refer to personality disorders, and auditory hallucinations are typically associated with psychotic disorders, rather than a conversion process linked to emotional distress.