ask: Hello I am new to this site and I have been dealing with this monster conversion disorder now going on six years it has taking over my life I am wanting to know if there is a center that can help me conquer this illness I live in Nashville tenn thank you
When this first happened I was ammitted in the hospital doctors thought I had a stroke I was in icc unit and then I was moved to stress mood unit and from then on I was told that I was dealing with conversion disorder. That it would be long term recovery. My family said that I had regressed back to a little girl didn't know my husband or my children they did say that I knew my dad. I was mute for about seven months you could not understand nothing I was saying it was all jebrish. Slowly my speech came back And I was so happy but then people started asking me where I was from I thought it was because of the way I dressed. Because I love to be fashionable. I didn't think to much a out it until everyone would ask the same thing I could not hear for a long time that I no longer had my southern country girl accent. I have been told I sound sweddish, Europian, Russian I have never been out of the country so not only do I suffer with this illness I have also lost my idenity. I can go from looking and acting normal to like a lady with ms or something I suffer with seizures and I throw up awful headache lots of pressure like a vice squeezing my head. Have trouble walking body jumping and jerking I never know what kind of day I am going to have. I do have a doctor on my side that gives me strength and faith to keep fighting this fight and I know he has all the answers and he will never leave me And that's why I fight this monster. I try really hard to live a normal life but what is normal is there such a thing anymore. I am forty two years old mother of two and nana of five I am a loving fun outgoing person that loves the lord through all this I am still able to sing southern gospel music I would be so lost if I couldn't sing that's how I get my feelings out and sing praise to my lord. Please if there is someone that can help me please get back with me. Please thank you and god bless you all !!!! I can not imagine going through all this alone without having Jesus and knowing him as my personal savior .
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Hi Dorisann - Thanks for sharing your story and welcome to EmpowHER. For those who are not familiar with conversion disorder, this is defined as a neurological disorder in which physical symptoms are unconsciously caused by a stressful or traumatic event. An example of this is a person who loses his voice following a situation in which he was afraid to speak. Conversion disorder is one of a group of psychological disorders called somatoform disorders.
In some cases, patients may begin to recover spontaneously. After physical causes for the symptoms have been ruled out, patients may begin to feel better and symptoms may begin to fade. In some cases, patients may need assistance in recovering from their symptoms.
Dorisann, you mentioned that you are under the care of a doctor. Is this a medical doctor or a psychiatrist? There are several treatment options that a psychiatrist can use, including the following:
* Counseling and psychotherapy—Discussing the stressful event with a counselor may help you cope with the underlying cause of the physical symptoms. Continued work to learn how to deal with stressors throughout life will also be important, as about 25% of patients with these disorders often have future episodes.
* Pharmacological therapy—In some cases, antidepressants may be used to speed recovery. Studies have shown that antidepressants may be helpful for patients with conversion disorder.
This doctor finder tool from WebMD can help you locate psychiatrists in your area. You can then contact them individually to find out if they have experience in treating conversion disorder. http://doctor.webmd.com/physician_finder/home.aspx?sponsor=core
An important aspect of recovery is finding support. Many people find it extremely helpful to meet others who share their same condition. There are several support groups and chat rooms with others who have your same medical condition.
Psychforums: http://www.psychforums.com/conversion-disorder/
Yahoo Group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/somatoform_and_conversionsupport/
Let us know if this has helped you, and we wish you the very best.
August 24, 2010 - 6:39pmPat
This Comment
Hello Pat. Thank you so much for sharing with me about conversion disorder. Yes I am under a doctor care and mental doctor cares that prescribes me my meds. I am now on 20 mg Prozac once a day adderoll 15 mg twice day. One 81 mg of baby aspirin. I have come to accept this disorder I talk with my therapist and nothing is working I do worry if I have ms because I can barley walk and have trouble talking this has come and go my speech since this has happen to me has never been back to normal . My spine feels like it is breaking into. This episode attack started wens day morning and it is now Monday. This has taking over my life I am now on disabily because I can't work . Please stay in contact with me if you thank of something to help me please. X
November 22, 2010 - 9:26amI was so happy to find your letter. I too,have conversion disorder
October 4, 2010 - 7:08pmand it has gotten worse the last 6 month. Though, I have been
to counseling and to a neurologist, it has not helped. My worse
time is morning when I wake up, my entire body is weighed down,
especially my left side starting from my head to my feet. I haven't been able to cry for about 8 years. Today, I was on the phone trying to find a specialist in conversion disorder within driving
distance from home which would be Portland Oregon and Olympia Wa. Nancy
Welcome to EmpowHER Nancy and thanks for your comments. Have you been able to find a doctor? Pat
October 5, 2010 - 5:03pmHello Nacy. This is Doris. I am sorry that you are going through this too. But on the other hand I am glad you foundt my post. This condition is very real very disturbing with not a lot of help from doctors I have seen through all these yrs. Right now as I am typing to you I have had a set back not able to walk and my speech is not good this happen weds morning and it is now Monday. My spine feels like it is breaking into. Thank you and god bless.
November 22, 2010 - 9:34am(Personal contact information removed by EmpowHER Moderator per site terms. Members are encouraged to use the free site email service to connect with each other.)
Hi ive had conversion disorder ten tears, i had thought it was a stoke also - its been hell, it destroyed my life and ive lost my youth turned into a loner, i know what your going through i dont believe anyone can insight into this horrible thing unless they have it. im male and got it at 23 im now 34 and not much better, i have had a permanent chronic headache cant swallow my spine also feels to have dislodged my thorax shifted to one side cant breathe a deep breath, my eyes are strained and ache my head tilted to the side scoliosis, its a disgusting illness, ive researched and researched but im hopeful now ive found Dr John Sarno, ive ordered some of his books he claims he can completely cure psychosomatic illness he wrote a book called the divided mind and has a program that people follow to improve. nothing has worked on me so will give this Dr a go I recomend you guys check him out and give it a chance. Best of luck and hope you get cured!!!
January 19, 2011 - 3:47pmThanks for writing and sharing your story. It looks like it's hard for people with conversion disorder to meet others and share information, and it's nice to have you with us.
January 19, 2011 - 6:36pmYour sounds much worse than mine. It basically just wears me out. When I get the least upset it gets worse, especiallly in the morning, my body is so heavy, alsmost like a sleeping pill which I dont take. I also have a balance problem. I do belong to a mediation group whihc makes me feel better afterwards and I have a counselor who has tried to help me with hypnosis which I haven't been able to do but she has good suggestions. Peaceful music
February 18, 2011 - 8:29pmwith ear phones helps, especially Inidan spirtural music.I will check out dR. Sarno. May you have a day of sunshine!
I have not been on this site for awhile but received a email today so I am just now answering. My conversion does not seem as severe. When I get agitated my left side gets numb...not where I can't feel...maybe asleep. I have been through neurogical testing ...every test was negative. I am currently going to a counselor who also does hypnosis. I cannot seem to be hypnotised but my counselor things something occured as a child....My symptoms appeared after I retired and my life had slowed down...I was aslo so busy I didn't have time to think about my emotions. As I stated, I haven't been able to cry in many years. Since I was a child I have always pushed my feelings back. I have always been
January 19, 2011 - 7:52pmso strong and now it has backfired..with all those hidden feelings.
Some days, I do real good and the next something will trigger my
mind to react to my body. Someday, I will get through the block
and find out the what started all of this. Nan
I can relate to the posting about conversion disorder. I have suffered with this monster, as Doriann described, for about 12 years. I have seizures and back pain. I did find out that my back pain wasn't conversion related, I had 10 bulging discs. This probably occured from all the falls from passing out that I have had. I have broken an elbow and ribs from falls. I took epilepsy meds for years then went to MCG to the epilepsy monitoring unit and they diagnosed me with conversion disorder. I went to an inpatient mental health facility and the physciatrist there did not think it was conversion disorder, just depression. I then went to the Mayo clinic in Jacksonville, Fl. of course all their tests were normal but they suggested the epilepsy monitoring again. I didn't do it. That has been 3 years ago and it gets worse every day. I am now going to try MUSC in Charleston, SC on July 25th to have the epilepsy monitor again. I hate to keep going to Dr.'s because it is so disappointing to get the same diagnosis. I feel that people think I am "faking it". I have always been a very confidentent woman until the last few years. I have went from 120 lbs. to 180 lbs. I feel so fat and ugly I don't want to go out anywhere. I feel something is really wrong. In Jan 2005 my son found me semi-unconcious, took me to the ER. I was admitted, CT & MRI scans showed that the white matter of my brain was globally affected. I lost all motor & speech skills, stayed in the hospital for 45 days, then transferred to a nursing home for 6 months where everything miracously returned. Dr's. had no explanantion. If I get any good news at MUSC, I will let you guys know. Take care everyone.
July 13, 2011 - 2:04pm