Frequently asked questions for General category. Use arrow keys to navigate between questions and Enter or Space to expand answers.
Disappointingly, many people with FND are still being discharged from neurology without a clear care pathway, and most often with only website links and no follow-up. This isn’t good enough. A diagnosis should come with an explanation of the condition, an understanding of individual needs (including comorbidities), and a plan for treatment or onward referral. Whilst services can be limited in some areas, neurologists still have a duty to explain the condition and help coordinate ongoing care. In the meantime, trusted websites like FND Action, our group sessions and neurosymptoms.org can be helpful starting points, but they should never replace a proper treatment plan.
Doubting your diagnosis is completely understandable, especially if your symptoms overlap with other conditions or don’t fit what you expected. FND has been misunderstood in the past – with outdated theories still appearing online or even from some healthcare professionals. This can lead to confusion and make it harder to trust the diagnosis. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask your neurologist questions or seek a second opinion (Click for further information). What matters most is that you feel heard and supported.
Awareness and understanding of FND remain uneven across healthcare, including in primary care. In the UK, FND was added to the Internal Medicine Training curriculum in August 2019 and became a core topic in the neurology specialist curriculum in August 2022. These are important steps, but training is not yet consistent across the medical profession. FND Action continues to campaign for better understanding and care.
Many people with FND do experience improvement, but it looks different for everyone. For some, especially those with motor symptoms, progress can come through physical rehabilitation and brain retraining. For others, improvement may be more gradual, with fewer symptoms, better control, or an improved quality of life.
FND prognosis is best understood as a spectrum, influenced by factors like other health conditions, life circumstances, and access to support. Improvement is possible, but it doesn’t always mean a quick or complete return to how things were before.
No. FND is not imagined or made up. It’s a medically recognised neurological condition. It’s caused by a problem in how the brain and nervous system send and process signals, not by structural damage. Sometimes FND is referred to as neuropsychiatric because all brain function includes psychological processes, such as cognition, but that doesn’t mean the condition is “just psychological”. Unfortunately, outdated theories still persist, but modern understanding shows this is a disorder of brain function. A brain network disorder.
FND is diagnosed by a clinician with appropriate expertise, often a neurologist. They will ask about your symptoms, including what they feel like and how they change, and examine you for signs typical of FND. If you have leg weakness, they may check Hoover’s sign as part of the examination. No single test is used for everyone; other tests may be arranged when needed to check for additional or co-existing conditions.
No, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is not a progressive disease in the traditional medical sense.
There is no structural damage with FND. It is a problem with how the brain sends and receives signals - often compared to a "software glitch" rather than damaged "hardware" (the brain structure itself).
Symptoms can fluctuate, shift, and appear suddenly; they can change types rapidly, wax and wane, or come and go. New symptoms may develop over time, including new physical or sensory issues. Worsening disability can become more severe or disabling if the condition is left unsupported, unmanaged, or untreated.
This can make sufferers feel it is progressive, but in a medical sense, the disorder is not progressive in the traditional sense.
Frequently asked questions for Treatment category. Use arrow keys to navigate between questions and Enter or Space to expand answers.
There’s no specific medication that directly treats FND, but medications may be prescribed to help manage comorbid medical conditions and associated symptoms such as pain. Because FND often occurs alongside other conditions, it’s essential to consider all your health conditions when deciding on treatment. Also, regularly review your medications with your GP or specialist to ensure they remain appropriate for your symptoms and to avoid potential interactions or side effects.
Treatment is tailored to each person. It may involve a multidisciplinary team, including FND-informed physiotherapy (neurophysiotherapy), psychological support where appropriate, and FND education. The NHS offers in-home visits, outpatient programs and inpatient programs; however, this depends on your region.
While you wait, it can help to focus on what you can prepare or put in place. This might include noting your symptoms and how they affect your daily life, gathering past medical information, and thinking about questions you want to ask. Reaching out to others through support groups, like ours, can also provide reassurance, shared experiences, and helpful tips. Using trusted websites to learn more about FND can help you feel more informed and empowered for your next appointment.
It can be frustrating when you’re not given a clear care plan after an FND diagnosis. Access to multidisciplinary FND care remains limited in many areas, creating a postcode lottery. However, you are entitled to access treatment through neuro rehabilitation teams that include physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, etc., who should have some knowledge of FND. If these services aren’t available locally, your GP or neurologist should refer you to centres that offer these treatments, even if that means travelling to another region. The NHS Constitution ensures you have the right to be referred for specialist care when necessary.
