Which of the following psychological states can result in physical manifestations such as paralysis or pain without an underlying medical condition?

The condition that can lead to physical manifestations such as paralysis or pain without an underlying medical condition is conversion disorder. This disorder is characterized by neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by medical or neurological conditions. Instead, these symptoms occur as a response to psychological stress or trauma. Patients may present with symptoms such as motor or sensory dysfunction—such as weakness, paralysis, or abnormal gait—without any identifiable organic cause.

The physical symptoms of conversion disorder are real to the patient and can cause significant distress and impairment in functioning. Unlike somatic symptom disorder, where the physical symptoms are more focused on distress about physical health without necessarily involving specific neurological deficits, conversion disorder specifically involves a conversion of psychological conflict into physical symptoms that mimic neurological conditions.

In contrast to anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, which can lead to somatic or physical complaints generally related to heightened stress or emotional state, conversion disorder distinctly presents with specific physical symptoms that are incompatible with recognized medical conditions. Understanding conversion disorder requires awareness of the mind-body connection and the psychosomatic relationship, which emphasizes how psychological conflicts can manifest physically.