Are you getting the same news from a doctor who claims you are fine yet you feel sick? A conversion disorder leaves many people confused due to the pain that a doctor cannot treat. They say that it is all in the mind of such a patient. Your family and friends might think that you are faking an illness or exaggerating while indeed the pain is real. Cases of women developing enlarged abdomen with the belief that they are pregnant when they are not, are signs of conversion disorder.
The most people who go through this might have psychological stress due to a recent trauma in their lives. Substance abuse can also contribute to anxiety that comes from conversion disorder. Find out how you can overcome conversion disorder and stop the invisible pain.
Identify the symptoms of the condition
Most people who go through this condition may have trouble walking and get tremors or seizures. A recent trauma triggers convulsions and general body weakness that people translate to pain. You may find it hard to swallow food or balance on your own. Numbness and speech difficulties are also symptoms you should watch out for to self-diagnose conversion disorder.
Go through diagnostic tests
Your doctor may rule out any physical conditions, but diagnostic tests can give you better answers. Conversion disorder is still a medical condition despite the lack of physical symptoms. Tests such as x-rays and electroencephalogram can rule out any nerve damages. They can also help you know if the symptoms you are experiencing are signs of other conditions such as lupus or Parkinson’s disease.
Attend physical therapy
Physiotherapy is beneficial to reverse conversion disorder. You can stop experiencing numbness and body weakness by engaging in physical therapy. Your therapist can help you conduct effective exercise such as stretching and gait practices to reduce stiffness and enhance your posture. Therapy can also help you reduce anxiety.
Try talk therapy
Since conversion disorder is a mental illness, talk therapy can help you deal with emotional stress. A regular doctor may not identify the pain, but a psychotherapist can understand your conversion disorder better. Through this, you can find the cause of your illness and challenge your thoughts.
It includes cognitive behavioral therapy that teaches you problem-solving skills to help you deal with external stressors. Behavior modification is also an effective treatment to help you analyze your behaviors.
Identify any signs of somatization
Most conversion disorder cases go hand in hand with somatization. Psychoanalysis treatment can help you distinguish the two conditions according to the symptoms so that you can work on improving your sense of well-being.
Go through transcranial magnetic stimulation
This treatment is effective in treating conversion disorder by stimulating the nerve cells of your brains using magnetic fields. The technology behind the treatment enables doctors to monitor the functioning of your brain to identify if some parts have been damaged.
Accept your doctor’s diagnosis
Conversion disorder becomes challenging to manage if a person fails to understand that it is mental. Start by accepting that there is nothing wrong with you physically. This will prevent you from anxiety and negative thoughts about your health.
Remain active physically
Light exercises at home can help you keep off emotional stress. Avoid intense exercises that strain conversion disorder symptoms. You can efficiently practice locomotion training exercises by yourself as you disregard the pain. It will also boost your moods and prevent you from overthinking.
Use relaxation techniques
Come up with a schedule that includes relaxation techniques. This consists of self-care practices that keep you in good moods such as enjoying bubble baths or random walks around your area. You can also learn deep breathing mechanisms that relax you naturally.
Muscle relaxation is also useful in reversing conversion disorder. You can release muscle tension by using progressive mechanisms that take care of numbness. Go for regular massages or enroll in a yoga class. If you have limited time, you can practice meditation for home.
Find a support group
Even if people around you may think that you are faking your pain, a support group for conversion disorder may relate to your problem. Social networking with people with a similar condition can help you gain a sense of belonging. Talking about your mental state with others enables you to relieve stress.
Avoid unhealthy habits to cope with conversion disorder
Some people in this state use alcohol and drugs to self-medicate. Such substances give you temporary relief from the pain as they make your body tolerate them. If you are finding withdrawal symptoms unbearable, Recovery Village Washington will help you withdraw from drugs safely. Combining conversion disorder with drug addiction could lead to severe complications.
Distract yourself
Distract your mind from obsessing over a simple headache. Understand that not all headaches are a sign of a brain tumor. You can distract such thoughts by doing constructive things such as working on your hobby. Challenge yourself through puzzles such as a chess game that occupies your mind for hours as you entertain yourself.
