Which diagnosis is most likely for a client experiencing low back pain that began after stressful life events, without indications of malingering?

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The diagnosis of Conversion Disorder is most applicable in this scenario as it occurs when psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms, such as pain, without any identifiable medical explanation. In this case, the client’s low back pain developed following stressful life events, suggesting a potential link between psychological factors and the physical symptom.

Individuals with Conversion Disorder genuinely experience these symptoms, and they are not intentionally produced or feigned, aligning with the absence of malingering in this situation. This means that the client is not consciously faking their pain for secondary gain, which often characterizes other conditions.

The other options do not fit as well due to differing criteria and implications. For instance, while low back pain is a valid concern, it does not address the psychological context of its development. Factitious disorder involves deception regarding symptoms for the purpose of assuming a sick role, which contradicts the lack of malingering in this case. Histrionic personality disorder involves a pervasive pattern of excessive emotionality and attention-seeking but does not typically present with specific physical symptoms like low back pain. Hence, Conversion Disorder best captures the relationship between stress and physical pain in this scenario, underlining the role of psychological factors in somatic presentations.

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