Teen Daughters and Conversion Disorders

Are your daughters feeling the pressures of adolescence? Parents at Le Roy Junior-Senior High School in upstate New York are still concerned, months later, as their teens continue to experience verbal outbursts, involuntary movements and tics. Although Sigmund Freud first described this combination of symptoms as Mass Hysteria, the difficult to diagnose condition is now known as Conversion Disorder.

It’s a rare condition with both psychological and neurological factors. These young women are left frustrated, behind in school and socially isolated. Not able to live a normal life, families want answers for these psychologically triggered yet real sensory and motor symptoms.

After an investigation and a battery of health, soil and environmental tests, the Le Roy administration and state health officials report no known environmental or infectious cause. Some speculate that, in essence, the brain makes the body sick. And there may be a combination of underlying causes: a history of trauma or abuse, pre-existing anxiety or stress, a personality that is highly suggestible.

In this situation, a high school cheerleader woke up from a nap one day with uncontrollable tics and stuttering. Known as the bellwether, a key group member can exhibit behavior that deviates from the norm, and then others develop similar symptoms. It’s not unlike other adolescent reactions, even bullying or suicide. The group's social status and close proximity, as well as the teenager’s need for acceptance and belonging, may foster unusual and dangerous conformity.

If you’re parenting teens, you’re probably not dealing with something as serious as conversion disorder. But adolescence is a developmental phase that’s full of potential pitfalls and no one gets through unscathed. Increased awareness and support can help your kids - these practical insights may be a good place to start:

Remember what it was like for you growing up. What did you do to bond with and feel accepted by the group? And how did you respond to peer pressure? Share your experiences with your kids and give them emotional support as they learn to manage their teen relationships.

Don't hide your concern. You really can't anyway. Your growing kids pick up signals from you even when you think you're protecting them. At the same time, don't burden them with pressures beyond their ability to handle them.

Keep the lines of communication open. Discuss what they're worried about, as you come face to face with your own fears. The more you are able to discuss the strains affecting all of you, the better you can begin to cope with them.

From Beatlemania to Mass Hysteria

Since the early 1960s, there hasn’t been any phenomenon quite like the Beatles, who were dearly loved by their female fans. Until today, that is. The UK boy band, One Direction, is creating a media frenzy during their US tour. Thousands of screaming teenage girls are always on hand, just trying to catch a glimpse of the group. If you saw the crowds you would think it was mass hysteria.

The way girls are socialized, coupled with hormonal changes and peer pressure, can impact fan behavior. As parents, hopefully you’re just dealing with love struck teens, groupie attitudes and loud music. But if your teenage daughters are facing more serious emotional conflicts, here are some tips that may help:

Promote a positive outlook. Encourage your kids to be aware of and develop their internal strengths. And support them in setting goals that will move them forward. You’ll see that focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel will help reduce their anxiety.

Initiate stress-reducing activities. Regular exercise like jogging or biking releases endorphins and can elevate their mood. Yoga and deep breathing brings about greater relaxation. And time at the gym will not only make them feel better but increase the socialization that is so healing for teens.

Maintain structure and continuity. By stabilizing the environment with a familiar routine, they'll feel less unsure of themselves and more secure. Direct them toward good role models. And as you model hopeful thinking and support their positive actions, eventually they will thrive.

You can scroll back to Monday's post and read about the teen girls from Le Roy Junior-Senior High School in upstate New York who are still struggling with Conversion Disorder.