Functional Neurological Disorders (FND)

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition where there is a problem with how the brain and body send and receive signals, rather than with damage to the nervous system itself. This can cause real and often distressing symptoms such as:

• Functional seizures
• Weakness or paralysis
• Tremors or movement difficulties
• Sensory changes (numbness, tingling, loss of vision)
• Speech and swallowing difficulties

FND symptoms are real, and can have a significant impact on daily life. Symptoms can fluctuate from day to day, which often adds to the frustration and confusion of living with the condition.

The links below contain more information on FND symptoms:

• Symptoms – Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
• Symptoms - FND Hope International

Living with FND affects more than physical health- it also takes an emotional toll. Many people experience:

• · Anxiety and low mood linked to unpredictability of symptoms
• · Loss of confidence and identity when daily activities become harder
• · Frustration and self-doubt due to stigma and misunderstanding from others
• · Isolation from work, education, or social life
• · Emotional numbness or dissociation, feeling detached from oneself or surroundings

These emotional challenges are not “all in your head”. They are a natural response to coping with a complex neurological condition.

If you find your FND is affecting how you feel, the resources in other sections of this page might be useful for you.

The following links have more information about support groups for people with FND:

• FND Hope- UK FND Peer Support Groups
• FND Action- Online Support Groups
• FND Dimensions- FND Support

Stress is a feeling of being under pressure. Living with FND can add extra challenges to the stresses of everyday life, and the effort of coping with symptoms can itself become stressful. Stress can also worsen symptoms or make them more noticeable.

There are things you can do to help manage stress:

Step on Stress is an educational course run by NHS Fife that teaches people how to manage stress and anxiety. The course runs for three weekly sessions of one and a half hours each. It aims to help people to build a better understanding of stress and deal with it using a variety of practical tools. You can read more about the course and self-refer here: https://www.accesstherapiesfife.scot.nhs.uk/step-on-stress/

MyFND is an app designed to help people with FND track, manage and understand their symptoms. It includes self-management techniques for grounding, relaxation, and healthy routines to help users manage their symptoms effectively.

FND Hope has created a yoga series specifically for people living with FND. You can watch it here.

Relaxation techniques can help to reduce anxiety, stress, and muscle tension, which can trigger or worsen FND symptoms. Try :                                                                                                                                

• Square breathing: breathe in for four, hold for four, out for four, pause for four
• Listening to a guided relaxation
• Relaxation resources from FND Hope.

Grounding techniques can help to distract from the FND symptoms by using the senses to “ground” us to the present moment. Try:

• Naming five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, one you can taste
• Holding an object (like a cold drink or a textured item) and notice how it feels in detail
• Grounding techniques from FND Hope.

The following links contain additional resources on relaxation and grounding for people with FND:

Stress Management - FND Action

Additional resources - Sheffield Teaching Hospital

FND symptoms can be unpredictable, and this uncertainty can feel unsettling. Not knowing when symptoms may appear can make it difficult to plan or feel in control. For many people, one of the hardest aspects of FND is this unpredictability.

Some people find their symptoms come and go without clear warning, while others notice patterns linked to stress, sleep, or physical activity. Certain environments, such as bright lights or crowded places, may also make symptoms worse.

Because FND is different for everyone, it can be useful to identify your own personal triggers. Keeping a symptom journal can help you spot patterns by noting what you were doing, how you were feeling, and when symptoms occurred. This information can also be valuable when talking to doctors or therapists.

You might find the following resources helpful to track your symptoms: 

• MyFND app- a free app to help track and understand symptoms over time. It includes a symptom tracker where you can record your symptoms over time to help you and your clinicians understand what makes symptoms better or worse, and can highlight how mood, sleep, or other factors may influence symptoms. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
• Formulation tool (Neurosymptoms.org)- designed to help patients and healthcare professionals work together to understand FND symptoms, associated factors, and treatment options.

It can also be helpful to check in with your energy levels throughout the day. Think of your energy like a phone battery: sometimes it holds charge well, while other times it drains more quickly. Taking short, regular breaks can help “recharge” your energy and may reduce fatigue or symptom flare-ups. This approach is known as pacing- balancing activity and rest to support recovery.

Here are some links to more information about pacing:

FND Hope- Balancing Energy

Pacing FND Action- Pacing