Conversion Disorder

On my womens health placement I had a very interesting pt. This pt had had a home birth with a 5 page detailed birth plan, however everything did not go to plan when she retained her placenta and her and her newborn had to be rushed to hospital. When in hospital she lost sensation and power in her LL and pelvic pain. Within a few days of giving birth this pt was unable to walk without max assistance. She also AS and a number of other problems, all of which were self diagnosed. However with all these issues the pt was not phased at all and came across very cheerful, whereas the husband was very emotional and teary. The doctors had no idea what was wrong with this pt and blood tests and MRIs showed nothing.
Initially I found it difficult to see this pt as there was no apparent reason for her neuro symptoms and I cant help but think that maybe the patient is just being dramatic and making it up.

After talking to the other physios I learnt that this pt may have conversion disorder which is where the patients develops symptoms, such as this pt had, however there is no neuroligcal cause for these symptoms. It is thought to be brought on by psychological stress or trauma which would include childbirth, especially when the pt is rushed to hospital immediately after.
After learning this I found it easier to see this pt and it reinforced the (obvious) fact that diagnosis is not the be all and end all of physiotherapy and that we should not purely treat based on our Ax and not the diagnosis or lack there of.