Case Study: Mirror reading, writing and backward speech in a woman with a head injury: a case of conversion disorder

Abstract

This paper presents a case of a 46-year-old, right-handed female, L.R., admitted to a behavioural neurology unit after sustaining a mild head injury. The patient presented as a very complex case with difficulties in neuropsychological, emotional and medical domains. The unusual features of her backward speech, and mirror reading and writing, evident upon admission, are described here. Results of assessment are considered in relation to conversion disorder and existing theories on mirror phenomena.