Severe Microcytic Hypochromic Anemia Masquerading as Conversion Disorder: A Case Report

Conversion disorder is a psychiatric illness in which an affected person experiences signs and symptoms of voluntary motor or sensory dysfunction in absence of any underlying neurological or medical condition. According to recent studies, fewer people initially labelled with a diagnosis of conversion have subsequently been found to have an organic disorder. We report a case of 13-year-old female, with a provisional diagnosis of conversion disorder later on, after detailed evaluation came out to be a case of severe anemia. Patient was transferred to the Psychiatry Department in view of the possibility of conversion symptoms. Detailed assessment of routine blood work (complete blood count with general blood picture) yielded severe microcytic hypochromic anemia (hemoglobin = 4.1 gm/dL). The patient was advised accordingly and an urgent blood transfusion was advised. It is mandatory that before labelling someone as having conversion disorder, rule out all essential and possible organic etiologies which can explain the clinical presentation, as it can be life-threatening.