Which disorder's symptoms typically improve after the stressful situation has passed?

• A. Panic disorder
• B. Phobic disorder
• C. Conversion disorder
• D. Hypochondriasis

Answer: (C)

Symptoms that arise in response to psychological stress and then improve once the stress passes point to conversion disorder. This condition presents as sudden neurological-like symptoms (such as weakness, blindness, or seizures) that are not explained by any medical disease and are thought to reflect psychological factors rather than intentional behavior. The key feature is the pattern: symptoms appear after a stressful event and tend to fade or improve as the stress resolves. In contrast, panic disorder involves recurrent panic attacks, phobic disorder is a persistent fear of a specific object or situation, and hypochondriasis centers on excessive illness worry—none of which characteristically improve simply as a stressful situation ends.