Conversion Reaction (as cause of LOC)

Psychiatric “escape” from intolerable situation
  • Duration: anything (often prolonged)
  • Any “jerking” movements are random, not stereotypic
  • Forced eye closure or crying [never occurs with seizures]
  • Biting on tip of tongue or lip (seizures bite on side of tongue)
  • Maybe fluctuating level of consciousness
  • Patient had awareness to environment (can describe what witnesses did)

See postings on Loss of Consciousness:  LOC-1 and LOC-2.