Conversion Disorder?

[perfectbluebuildings, BSN, RN]

Hello, warning, this is long. My mom went to a neurologist today who thought she had conversion disorder and wants her to see a psychiatrist. Some of you may have read this in the Break Room forum, but she is 48, has been sick for almost 8 years with one side more affected than the other- muscle weakness with difficulty swallowing, difficulty walking (uses a cane), difficulty lifting objects- her muscles tire easily- etc. The following have been ruled out over the years up to today: multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease, post-polio syndrome, and myasthenia gravis. I guess I am asking you what you know about, or have seen in patients with, this disorder. Just looking for information at this point. She was unable to recall any trauma or significant stress or life change at the time of her illness onset, I don't know if that is a criteria or not but the doctor seemed very insistent that she think of some such thing. Anyway, your thoughts/knowledge are appreciated. Thanks a lot :)

[lucianne]

The only patient I have seen with a diagnosis of conversion disorder was a young girl (10 or 11) who had similar symptoms to your mom's. She had several inpatient stays and would improve in the hospital with ativan. We'd get her walking and talking again, wean her off the ativan and send her home. Each successive stay was shorter. There was never any source of psychological trauma identified but there was a lot of family stress, and I confess that I suspected Munchausen's (either proxy or direct) or some variation.

luci

[sanakruz, ADN]

I dont think it can hurt to see a psychiatrist.This long without a dx would make one depressed I'm sure.

I did know a woman once with similar symptoms- She was dx'd as having muscular dystrophy! She also experienced allergies to dust smells household cleaning products and the like.