What is FND?
FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), is aneuropsychiatric condition characterised by wide ranging and diverse symptoms, such as weakness, paralysis, tremor, involuntary movement, and fatigue. These symptoms are similar to other neurological conditions, however, FND does not have a clear underlying physical cause, as opposed to a structural or biochemical abnormality in the brain or nervous system.
Below is a list of common FND subtypes.
Dissociative Seizures
One of the more common problems that patients who suffer from FND experience are dissociative attacks, which are episodes of altered or loss of consciousness. They can look like epileptic seizures, but they are not caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Some examples of dissociative symptoms include:
- Dissociative seizures (other names include dissociative attacks/ non-epileptic seizures)
- Trance states/Catatonia
- Drop attacks
- Dizziness including ‘PPPD’ (Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness)
Movement Disorders
Functional movement disorders are a group of neurological conditions that can cause involuntary and often unpredictable movements, including difficulty with walking, tremors, uncontrollable shaking or weakness, and sometimes even whole-body paralysis.
Some examples include:
- Tremors (involuntary shaking or quivering movements)
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting or repetitive movements)
- Facial spasms
- Gait disorder (difficulty walking, abnormal gait patterns)
- Myoclonus (sudden, brief, and involuntary muscle contractions/jerks/ twitches)
- Tics (sudden, repetitive movements or vocalizations)
- Chorea (involuntary, irregular, and dance-like movements)
- Akathisia (restlessness or an urge to move)
- Athetosis (slow, writhing, and involuntary movements)
Functional Cognitive Disorder
Functional Cognitive Disorder (FCD) is when an individual experiences cognitive symptoms that a neurological or medical condition cannot fully explain. It is sometimes referred to as Functional Cognitive Impairment or FCI.
The symptoms of FCD can vary, but they generally involve cognitive difficulties such as problems with memory, attention, or executive functioning (planning, organization, problem-solving). These symptoms can be severe enough to interfere with daily activities but are not explained by a specific medical or neurological condition.
Some examples include:
- Memory loss (difficulty remembering recent events or details)
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing on tasks
- Confusion or disorientation (feeling lost or unsure of surroundings)
- Trouble with decision-making or problem-solving
- Language difficulties (difficulty finding the right words or understanding language)
- Impaired executive function (difficulty planning, organizing, or carrying out tasks)
- Slowed thinking or processing speed
Functional sensory symptoms:
Functional Sensory Disorder (FSD) is a condition in which an individual experiences abnormal sensory symptoms. It is sometimes referred to as Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or Sensory Integration Dysfunction. The symptoms of FSD can vary widely but generally involve an abnormal response to sensory stimuli, such as touch, sound, or light. Some examples are:
- Numbness or tingling in the limbs or face
- A feeling of pins and needles or electric shocks
- Loss of sensation in the limbs or face
- Altered sensations, such as a feeling of swelling or distortion in a limb or body part
- Increased sensitivity to touch, sound, or light
- Phantom limb sensations (a feeling that a missing limb is still present)
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Other symptoms
Other functional symptoms include dizziness, problems with senses such as touch and hearing, speech disturbances, and difficulties with thinking and memory. Every single function under the control of the brain can be impacted by FND. Sometimes, it can even cause trouble regulating bladder and bowel function.
The above image is from "Not there: A Story of Functional Neurological Disorder" http://bit.ly/3X6qnpeThe video links below provide an excellent introduction about FND, it's causes and how it is treated.
FND Support Services
There are some fantastic resources on the web and apps designed to help people with FND. Click below to find out more.