Glossary

In ICD-10 (F44), dissociative (conversion) disorders include conditions in which there is a partial or complete loss of the normal integration of memory, identity, sensation, or control of bodily movements. Symptoms occur in a temporal relationship with stressful events or conflicts and are not explained by a known neurological or other physical disease.

This category covers what today's literature more often calls functional neurological disorder (FND).

The preferred modern term for neurological symptoms (weakness, tremor, non-epileptic seizures, gait disturbance, sensory disturbances) that cannot be fully explained by a structural neurological lesion. In DSM-5, it appears under Conversion Disorder (Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder).

The term "functional" is deliberately chosen to reflect that the problem lies in how the nervous system functions — not in its structure. The diagnosis is made positively on the basis of specific clinical signs, not only by excluding other disorders.

Equivalent terms: conversion disorder (ICD-10: F44), dissociative motor disorder, NEAD (non-epileptic attack disorder) for functional seizures.

The ICD-10 term (F44) for neurological symptoms with no demonstrable neurological disease. The term "conversion" derives from the psychoanalytic idea that psychological conflicts are "converted" into physical symptoms — a concept no longer used in current models.

In ICD-11, these disorders are reclassified under Dissociative neurological symptom disorder; in DSM-5 they appear as Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (Conversion Disorder).

A condition in which a person deliberately produces or feigns physical or psychological symptoms — but without an obvious external motive (such as financial gain). The motivation is typically internal: the need for a sick role, medical attention, or care. Factitious disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis and is not the same as malingering.

A special variant is Factitious disorder imposed on another (FDIA) — historically called Munchausen syndrome by proxy — in which a caregiver (usually a parent) fabricates or induces illness in another person (usually a child).

An umbrella term, not a formal diagnostic category. It denotes conditions in which psychological factors (stress, emotions, mental state) significantly influence the course of physical symptoms. The term is used in clinical practice and patient communication, but does not appear in ICD or DSM as a standalone diagnosis.

Psychosomatic disorders thus span somatic symptom disorder, functional neurological disorder, functional gastrointestinal disorders, tension headaches, and many other conditions — wherever biological and psychological factors are closely intertwined.

Intentional feigning or production of symptoms with a clearly external motive — e.g., avoiding military service, obtaining financial compensation, gaining exemption from legal responsibility. Malingering is not a psychiatric disorder but a so-called V-code (ICD-10: Z76.5) — a circumstance that may be the subject of clinical attention.

It is important that malingering is never assumed without solid evidence, since this can severely damage the therapeutic relationship and delay appropriate treatment — especially in children, who almost never malinger.

A descriptive term for the process by which psychological distress is expressed as physical symptoms. Somatisation is not a diagnosis — it is a mechanism that can be present in many different disorders (anxiety, depression, trauma, psychosomatic disorders).

The word comes from the Greek soma (body). The concept emphasises that the body and mind are not separate: emotional processes directly influence the biological functioning of the body — and vice versa.

The category of somatic symptom disorders has evolved considerably across classification systems. The key terms and their equivalents: