Stressed woman thought she was French

Ananova ^ | December 12, 2006 | Staff

[MadIvan]

A Bath woman convinced herself she was French after she developed a rare disorder.

Louise Clarke, 30, a recruitment consultant, babbled away in French for weeks, according to the Sun.

She demanded croissants, rang her pals to tell them she was living in Paris and even invited them over.

Louise said: "It might sound funny to others, but suddenly thinking you are French is terrifying."

She had been in France four years before becoming one of only four people in Britain, and 200 in the world, to be diagnosed with Susac's syndrome.

The brain disorder, which can be brought on by stress, is thought to affect blood vessels leading to the brain, ears and eyes and can scramble memories.

Louise is now controlling it with steroids and other medication and has been told it can last up to five years.

She said: "It was a really tough time for my family. At one point my sister discovered I had phoned all my friends and told them to come and visit me in Paris. She had to ring them all back to explain what had happened."

[MadIvan]

Gods, what a nightmare.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Ping!

[ladtx]

Louise is now controlling it with steroids...

Hmm - Thinking you are French and controlling it with steroids seems appropriate, although I would throw in shot or two of testosterone just to make sure it doesn't happen again.

[Hatteras]

A hired local contractor says though, it will take some time, weeks even, before they can get that cheesey smell out of the house...

[nevergore]

Not mentioned in the article was the first signs her friends noticed was she stopped bathing.....

[Miss Marple]

I am astounded that there is an actual mental disorder in which someone believes she is French.

Is there another disorder for one in which people believe they are Italians, and another for Germans, etc? Just curious.

[Mrs Ivan]

ROFLOL!!!

[MadIvan]

I'm not sure. But there is something clearly wrong in the case of a British person thinking they're French. That is definitely a sign of derangement.

Regards, Ivan

[Nailbiter]

It might sound funny to others, but suddenly thinking you are French is terrifying."

At least she will be cured one day, imagine being French and not being able to be cured, /LOL

[ClearCase_guy]

Years ago I tried to live as a Frenchman. But the effort was great and I eventually gave up.

/rimshot

[nonliberal]

I can tell you for a fact that this woman is NOT French. She is from "Bath." Ze French want nothing to do with a bath.

[MadIvan]

Well, quite.

Regards, Ivan

[trumandogz]

Gods, what a nightmare

What are you talking about? If tomorrow morning my British wife were to wake up talking French, acting French, cooking French and having sex like or even with a French woman I would be ecstatic!

[aShepard]

She must'a forgotten to shave her underarms!

[GVnana]

OMG I'm French!

ROTFLMPO!

[MadIvan]

What are you talking about? If tomorrow morning my British wife were to wake up talking French, acting French, cooking French and having sex like or even with a French woman I would be ecstatic!

I'm sure your wife would appreciate this commentary.

As for me, I'm pleased that Mrs Ivan is a genuine English Rose.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

OMG I'm French!

She came out of the patisserie.

Regards, Ivan

[Ditter]

I have a similar disease, I think I am a Texan. I have a Texas accent and I brag that my family has been here since the 1820's. It's really sad. I even have a cowboy hat and boots in my closet. I need help!

[MadIvan]

It could be worse, you could have watched one Woody Allen film too many and thought you were a New Yorker.

Regards, Ivan

[trumandogz]

OK she might like the cooking French but if she read the rest she would cut my tongue out.

And eat the tongue as the Brits love to do.