I was Diagnosed with a Conversion Disorder

Conversion disorders often mimic a serious condition; the first thought you might have if you suddenly couldn't speak or started stammering might be that you are having a stroke or having a mini stroke (Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA). In fact, conversion disorders are listed in the DSM-IV-TR as somatoform disorders. A person with a conversion disorder loses a function such as speech, movement of limbs, eyesight, and other symptoms.

This happened to me about two weeks ago. I had been under a lot of stress. Someone had hacked into an online account of mine and ordered $58 worth of stuff from iTunes. I was frantic because it caused me an overdraft. I was able to talk to my bank and report that a fraudulent transaction had occurred, but as soon as I hung up I wasn't able to speak anymore. The whole day I was extremely anxious and upset that this had happened.

The next day I still couldn't talk. I had periods of aphasia, with apraxia. Aphasia is the inability to speak, and apraxia is the inability to move the muscles of speech. I also stammered where I did speak. I stammered so much that I couldn't be understood. I wasn't hurting and I looked into the mirror to look at my pupils and they were equal and reactive to light, so I knew I didn't have a stroke. By the third day, I was beside myself with worry that something was wrong, even though I was okay in every other way. I could read, write, and understand spoken and written language, but still I was getting scared that something was wrong. My daughter called 911 and explained the situation to the dispatcher, and the EMTs came right away. The firehouse is right around the corner from us, so within 2 minutes they were there to check on me. My vitals were normal, and the EMTs didn't think I had had a stroke because my neuro checks came out okay. I opted to stay home because I figured that nothing would be done for me anyway.

The next day, I was no better. I went to the doctor and she wanted to rule out a stroke so she had me admitted into the hospital. I spent 2 nights in the hospital, and since it was determined that it wasn't a stroke, I was diagnosed with a conversion disorder.

The day after I got out of the hospital (1/20/2012) I still was no better. I couldn't be understood very well. I made a video and you can see it here.

I was desperate by this time, so I asked for people to pray for me. The next day I could see that I was getting a little bit better. I made another video and you can see it here. Later on that day I was almost completely better and recorded that video also. You can see it here.

How am I now? I still have stammering when I am under stress. This is not my first time having a conversion disorder. There was a time when I was under stress trying to learn new songs in choir practice that the words would be unreadable. The words looked like they were German. I was totally lost and quit choir. I never had an episode where I couldn't read ever again. I may have to live with this conversion disorder from time to time while I am under stress. Knowing that I didn't have a stroke is a great relief to me.

Sources:

Conversion disorders

Personal experience