Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition in which there is a problem with how the brain sends and receives signals to and from the body. It is not caused by structural damage or disease in the brain or nerves, but by a malfunction in brain function. This causes real physical symptoms affecting movement, sensation, cognition, and other nervous system functions. FND symptoms can include weakness or paralysis of limbs, seizures that are not epileptic, tremors, sensory disturbances like numbness or loss of sensation, difficulty walking, speech problems, vision issues, pain, fatigue, and balance problems. The symptoms are genuine and cause significant distress, though brain scans often appear normal. The exact cause of FND is unclear but may involve stress, trauma, neurological and psychological factors affecting brain networks that regulate voluntary movement and sensation. Treatments typically involve multidisciplinary approaches including physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to retrain brain function and manage symptoms.
