In conversion disorder, which specifier is used when symptoms have been present for less than six months?

• A. Acute episode
• B. Persistent
• C. Chronic
• D. Transient

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how clinicians describe the length of time conversion disorder symptoms have been present. In functional neurological symptom disorder, symptoms are categorized by course: if they have been present for less than six months, the specifier used is acute. This helps signal a relatively recent onset and guides expectations for prognosis and treatment planning.

If symptoms endure beyond six months, the specifier would be persistent. Terms like chronic aren’t the standard DSM-5 specifiers for this condition, and transient isn’t used as a formal course descriptor in this context. So, less than six months aligns with the acute designation.