Symptoms

FND SYMPTOMS ARE POORLY UNDERSTOOD AND CAN BE DEBILITATING. -DR. JON STONE

Functional Symptoms

Functional Neurological Disorder provides an umbrella term for a variety of symptoms of apparent neurological origin but which current models struggle to explain psychologically or organically.  Presentation may be similar to a wide range of other neurological conditions. FND/CD can be as debilitating as Parkinson’s disease and MS and have many similar symptoms. The most common misconception is that patients are in control of some or all of their symptoms. The patient does not consciously produce functional symptoms. A patient with conscious control of their symptoms has a different diagnosis such as Feigning, Malingering, or Munchausen Syndrome.

Very few effective treatment plans exist.  Physical Therapy is the most effective form of treatment with a goal of re-introducing proper movement and motor control. The most common treatment plan is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), which yields a 13% success rate [1]. CBT is most effective for patients who have a known psychological connection to their symptoms. Lack of understanding the condition has negatively influenced treatment and care. Researchers, money, and volunteers are greatly needed.

Functional Neurological Disorder can present with any motor or sensory symptoms in the body.

Our symptoms make us feel…..

…..that I am battling a war with my self, my mind and my physical movements, but in this fight; the more I fight, the more the symptoms fight me  K.M.D.

…..overwhelmed and guilty for being dependent on my husband because he works a full-time job and then has to take me to appointments and take care of the house  K.M.

…..who is this new person I have become, myself and family want the old happy fun loving mother back   H.A.

…..like a burden to my family I also feel frustrated that I can’t control my body and have an active life like I used to  J.G.

…..horrible because I don’t have control over my own body everyone is always watching over me, makes feel like a child sometimes  A.D.

….. I have lost all independence and now rely on the people that used to rely on me I fell isolated and I am a different person leading a completely different life than before FND , as though myself and my family have lost ME  B.W.

Those with a functional diagnosis are not making up their symptoms (malingering).  FND Symptoms cause financial, physical, mental and emotional distress and cannot be turned on and off at will.  Like many illnesses symptoms may wax and wane.