Tic Mythology 19 - More on FND

Today I’m offering a bit more info on Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). I’m hoping the information will be helpful for those affected by FND and also hope it will increase general public awareness of FND.
FND can be easily misunderstood because it is often so sudden and strong that it confuses people. Individuals affected by FND tend to experience major disruptions to their lives and loss of activities they used to enjoy.
Emotional distress or agitation can play a role in FND, but it doesn’t always and there may be NO major stressors that occur before FND begins.
It is best to be very clear and open about FND when possible. It is unusual, it is not well understood, and it is generally highly distressing for the person experiencing it.
Therapy (counseling, talk therapy, psychotherapy…) can be helpful - it may directly reduce the symptoms of FND in some cases or improve the quality of life in others. Either way that tends to help with FND over time.
Therapy alone may not be enough and it is often recommended to use a multidisciplinary approach, including: physical therapy for motor symptoms, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. All of this should be done in collaboration with support and management by a knowledgeable neurologist.
A major challenge with FND is finding professionals who are knowledgeable about FND. In the past, FND was so rare that there was often not a lot of training and education about it. The name has changed many times throughout its history as well. The current name is intended to help highlight that it is a real condition, that it has a neurological component, and that it profoundly affects a person’s ability to function.