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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 - 9:26amThis Comment