Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
Neurological symptoms without clear medical cause - real symptoms, not imagined.
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Overview
Functional Neurological Disorder causes genuine neurological symptoms weakness tremors seizures sensory changes without identifiable structural brain damage. NOT all in your head or faking. FND involves real brain dysfunction often triggered by trauma stress illness. Brain software malfunctions not hardware. Symptoms include limb weakness or paralysis non-epileptic seizures dissociative seizures tremors sensory loss speech difficulties. Symptoms inconsistent may vary with attention or distraction. Does not mean not real shows functional nature of disorder. FND deeply stigmatised. Doctors dismiss as psychological. Patients accused of attention-seeking. Yet brain imaging shows altered neural pathways. Trauma common in FND histories childhood abuse assault medical trauma. Body holds what mind cannot process. Treatment involves neurophysiotherapy retraining movement patterns trauma therapy symptom management. CBT helps some people. Recovery possible but slow. Worst approaches telling people there is nothing wrong or it is just anxiety. Best approaches trauma-informed neurological rehabilitation.
Key Characteristics
- Genuine neurological symptoms without structural cause
- Weakness tremors seizures sensory changes
- Symptoms vary with attention or distraction
- Often triggered by trauma or stress
- Brain function issue not structural damage
- Stigmatised and dismissed by many doctors
- Co-occurs with trauma anxiety chronic pain
- Invalidation worsens condition
What Helps
- Neurophysiotherapy to retrain movement
- Trauma-informed therapy EMDR CBT
- Pain management
- Validate symptoms as real and neurological
- FND specialist clinics
- Gradual rehabilitation not pushing through
- Address trauma history if present
- Educate about FND not all in head
- FNDHope and FND Action resources
- Disability support without shame
Note: Informational only. Consult professionals for individualised support.
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