Problems with diagnosing Conversion Disorder in response to variable and unusual symptoms.

Conversion Disorder (CD) is a diagnosis offered to explain signs and symptoms that do not correspond to recognized medical conditions. Pediatric patients with variable, vague, and multisystem complaints are at increased risk for being diagnosed with CD. Little is known about the impact of such a diagnosis.

Alcoholism and severe child maltreatment.

A controlled study of the association between parental alcoholism and severe child maltreatment--i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect requiring court-ordered removal of the child from the home--reveals a significant overrepresentation of alcoholism in the parent population.