Somatization v.s. Conversion disorder

[WEST1014, RN,BSN]

Can someone please explain the difference between somatization and conversion disorder? I keep getting them mixed up. Don't they both involve pain with no organic/physiological cause?

[caliotter3]

You give the definition for somatization disorder. Complaints of physical symptoms when no disease process is present. Conversion disorder is the "conversion" of symptoms from one area of the body to another (a way of remembering it). You have a headache, yet you complain of pain in your stomache instead of in your head. Or your leg is broken, and you complain of tingling in your wrist.

[WEST1014, RN,BSN]

You give the definition for somatization disorder. Complaints of physical symptoms when no disease process is present. Conversion disorder is the "conversion" of symptoms from one area of the body to another (a way of remembering it). You have a headache, yet you complain of pain in your stomache instead of in your head. Or your leg is broken, and you complain of tingling in your wrist.

THANK YOU THANK YOU!! That was driving me nutts!