Functional Neurologic Disorder
(FND)

Dave Clarke, MD

“Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND) is the second most common diagnosis in neurology clinics, following headaches. It involves symptoms caused by abnormal nerve function, yet no underlying disease or damage to the nerves or brain has been identified as the cause. These symptoms are entirely real and can vary widely.

Common symptoms include muscle weakness or paralysis, blackouts or non-epileptic seizures, and movement disorders such as tremors, muscle spasms, or jerky movements.

Other symptoms may include vision disturbances like double vision or vision loss, speech difficulties such as hoarseness, slurring, or stuttering, and altered skin sensation, including hemisensory syndrome (changes in sensation on one side of the body).

Dizziness and balance problems are also frequently reported.

The most likely explanation for FND is changes in key circuits within the brain, which disrupt normal function and lead to these symptoms.”

  • Why would the brain do this? Nearly always, one or more types of stress is involved even if this is not fully recognized at first.

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  • Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

    Experiences that would make you sad or angry if they happened to a child for whom you care.

  • Stressful Personality Traits

    Such as focusing too much on the needs of others, excessive self-criticism, perfectionism, lack of assertiveness, and many others.

  • Unrecognized Negative Emotions

    Such as anger, fear, shame, grief, or guilt.

  • Triggers

    Including people, situations, or events that remind you of stressful situations.

  • Current Life Stresses

    Such as work, parenting, pressure from loved ones, or major life changes.

  • Mental Health Challenges

    Such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress.

The good news is that all these sources of stress can be successfully diagnosed and treated.

To explore whether this applies to you, take the self-diagnostic quiz below. It consists of 12 simple 'Yes or No' questions. The more 'Yes' answers you provide, the more likely it is that the resources on this website can help.