What is functional neurological disorder (FND)?
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is the name given to medically unexplained neurological symptoms which appear to be caused by problems in the nervous system, but are not linked to a specific disease or structural damage to the brain.
It affects how the brain and body send and receive signals.
What causes FND?
Usually, the cause of the symptoms is unknown. FND affects men, women and children throughout the world equally.
What are the symptoms of functional neurological disorder?
The symptoms of FND may fluctuate, or be there all the time. They include:
– difficulty moving, for example walking or controlling your arms and legs
– problems balancing
– tingling sensations or twitches in the body
– headaches, migraines or dizziness
– changes in eyesight, for example blurred vision
– pain, which is sometimes hard to locate, combined with tiredness
FND is not considered a progressive neurological disease. This means it does not involve ongoing damage to the brain or nervous system that steadily worsens over time, as seen in some other neurological conditions. FND also does not typically affect life expectancy.
However, people’s experiences of FND can vary widely. Symptoms may fluctuate, persist long-term, or sometimes become more disabling, especially if the condition is not well supported or treated. New symptoms can also appear over time.
Because FND does not involve structural damage to the nervous system, symptoms can often improve with the right treatment and support.
Treatments may include specialised physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological therapy, or multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
