Posted by yxibow on February 6, 2007, at 23:34:50
In reply to Re: epilepsy / conversion disorder??? » hobbsster, posted by gardenergirl on February 5, 2007, at 19:43:45
> Hobbsster,
> This must be a very confusing time. Personally, I think that it's wise to get a second opinion when someone is diagnosed with a conversion disorder. You sure don't want them to miss something that needs medical care.
>
> And if it is a conversion disorder, there's treatment for that, too. It doesn't mean you didn't experience what you've experienced. It doesn't mean you were faking it. It doesn't mean that it shouldn't have bothered you. It's just a way of understanding what's going on, and that's good, because it will lead you to the right treatment, if that's the case. Otherwise, again, assuming that diagnosis is correct, you might continue to seek medical treatment at the expense of psychological, and that could stall your progress to wellness.
Conversion disorders, which are part of the Somatiform spectrum and is likely what caused my Somatiform NOS, although one can never say for sure -- the overwhelming anxiety from 9/11 is still 5 years later, much better albeit, but manifesting itself in a visual Somatiform disorder.The most common conversion/somatiform disorder is a pseudoseizure, and as the previous poster said, it does not mean you are faking it. There is just beginning to be a better understanding of it -- yes, there is a DSM code for malingering, but that is not the most common condition. Something, some anxiety causes a person to have pseudoseizures and these are often seen in the ER. EEGs and possibly PET/SPECT scans although the latter have limited diagnostic capability in terms of magnification are one way of ruling out an organic (true) epileptic condition, but other tests should be run by a neurologist.
I would second the second opinion because if it isn't an organic disorder, psychotherapy remains one of the ways to overcome this condition. The good prognosis is if it is a pseudoseizure, unlike my special senses disorder, pseudoseizures typically only last weeks when treated well.
In the past, conscious sedation (Versed, phenobarbital, etc.) was used, but this is mostly an illegal practice in hospitals today and doesn't do the patient the most justice because they're not actively engaging with the therapist to "free" the trapped anxiety for a lack of better description. This isn't science fiction, its reality if you ask any good ER physician.
To better health-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:726372
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070201/msgs/730659.html