A patient has blindness related to a functional neurological (conversion) disorder but is unconcerned about this problem. Which understanding should guide the nurse's planning for this patient? The patient is:

A) suppressing accurate feelings regarding the problem.
B) relieving anxiety through the physical symptom.
C) meeting needs through hospitalization.
D) refusing to disclose genuine fears.

Psychoanalytic theory suggests conversion reduces anxiety through the production of a physical symptom that is symbolically linked to an underlying conflict. Conversion, not suppression, is the operative defense mechanism in this disorder. The other distractors oversimplify the dynamics, suggesting that only dependency needs are of concern, or suggest conscious motivation (conversion operates unconsciously).