conversion disorder

can this disorder cause mood swings? i have a 15yr old who has been diagnosed with this. it is very intense and worrisome. she is happy one minute  depressed the next.  she has right side tremores that is so bad she uses a walker and wheel chair for getting around. she sees a pysc and a pystrist  adn getting worse. we feel helpless! the attacts are longer and getting closer together  lasting weeks at a time   with only days of relief inbetween1  i really dont understand the whole thing  but it seems hopeless  but yet it fits  the drs cant find anything physical wrong. HELP

[dame_wilbur]

The whole diagnosis of conversion disorder means that there's nothing *physically* wrong with your daughter. The tremors are caused by her brain's reaction to a traumatic experience. It's *not* "just in her head", as it's a very real disease also called Briquet's Syndrome. (I'm pretty sure you know this. If not, Google "conversion disorder", there's a ton of information out there.)

I kinda know what your daughter's going through. There's nothing *physically* wrong with me, I've just been in constant pain since I was 13. I was *very* depressed for several years before also being diagnosed with bi-polar 2 years ago. But at first it was secondary depression related to pain. But the depression wasn't constant, as it came and went, more or less, with my flareups.

You say that she's seeing a psych already, and that's great. Is she on any antidepressants or anti-psychotics that might help with her moods? I assume that you've brought her mood swings to her psych's attention? If so, it may just be time to augment that treatment. I'm wondering if you know about/have given any thought to seeing a body-mind psychotherapist who practices Somatic Experiencing. I've found my SE therapist to be just as useful as my psychiatrist. In fact, she was the one who recommended me try SE therapy. Somatic Experiencing is designed to help the patient process trauma. The conversion disorder was brought on by a trauma, and maybe working with a skilled SE therapist can help at least identify what the traumatic experience that happened to your daughter was (if that's unknown; you don't say).

Also:
I'm sure that this is absolutely terrifying for you, as well as frustrating, etc. You want to be there for your daughter, and to help her to the best of your ability. That's wonderful and as it should be. Part of how you can help her is to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF as well. This means that you might want to see a therapist, not necessarily a s psych, but somebody, to help you work through your own emotions. You will be a much bigger help to your daughter if you can be there for her most of the time at 100%, instead of always being there, but only at 50%. Try taking small "me" breaks and have your spouse or partner, or even a family friend, help your daughter for that time so you can just breathe. If you do this, you'll be able to avoid a lot of damage to yourself.

If you have any questions that you'd like to get a parent's POV on, PM me, and I'll put you in contact with my mother, who's been there for me for the past 9+ years since this started. She might be able to suggest something that I've forgotten.

My only other advice is this: treasure the good days, and don't grieve the past or worry about the future, but live for today.

good luck to your family,

~Dame