Although many sites state that FND is purely a software malfunction of the brain (and that the hardware is normal), this is now known to be false as there is growing research showing reduced levels of grey matter in the FND-impacted brain which cause involuntary body movements as well as decreased cognitive clarity and other brain malfunctions. An article in 2020 by the American Heart Association, discussed FND under the umbrella of “stroke mimic”. Inflammatory markers in the blood of FND patients showed they experienced their seizures as stroke-like events with similar, but generally temporary, outcomes. This includes the emotional shock and terror experienced by both.

Common symptoms…

Some of the symptoms of FND that have entered my practitioner room include tremors, inability to focus/think, psychogenic seizures (very real but not epileptic), absence seizures, chronic inexplicable pain, joint stiffness or paralysis, loss of speech and/or swallowing abilities, gait problems and many more. These life-changing experiences cause severe anxiety, depression, and sometimes suicidal ideation. All can be assisted extremely well with focussed Psychotherapy where learning to calm the nervous system and explore the reasons behind the full onset of FND are explored.

I knew something wasn’t right…

Most people recall that minor symptoms appeared long before some shocking life event (death of loved one, loss of valued job, difficult divorce, car accident etc) triggered the full onset of FND. I have worked intensely with many FND patients and have seen reduction of seizures to only tremors, management of anxiety, moving from paralysis back to walking again (of course with addition of physiotherapy and GP care), and learning their body feelings so that they can take preventive actions to halt the full onset of symptoms. I have had several clients return to the workforce, having learnt to manage symptoms of anxiety, and to avoid neurological overload. Learning to really feel their own body’s signals, taking regular rest breaks, and home strategies to avoid elevating to seizure level of distress.

There are clear personality traits typical to those with FND and likely attributed to the cause of the disability. These trait behaviours will be addressed in Psychotherapy for FND patients.

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)…

A linked further condition, for patients who suffered extreme childhood abuse, is that of Dissociative Identity Disorder, DID. Developing the ability to dissociate from unimaginable events, pain and severe distress is a skill developed in childhood which later leads to DID. The creation of separate identities can be typical of young people who do not feel safe in their home environment, nor with their primary carers. Their separate identities hold horrific memories or take care of the primary Self when further abuse threatens, real or anticipated. I conduct therapy with each of the Selves who, often, can make deep change when the primary Self could not.