Functional Neurological Syndrome (FNS)

The diagnosis of Functional Neurological Syndrome (FNS)—also known as Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)—is not a new condition, but the name and concept have changed and been refined significantly over the past 20 to 25 years.

With Functional Neurological Syndrome (FNS), the brain and nervous system temporarily malfunction. There is no permanent damage to the brain or nerves, but signal processing is disrupted, causing the body to respond improperly. This can lead to symptoms such as muscle weakness or paralysis, tingling or numbness, tremors, difficulty walking or speaking, or seizures that resemble epilepsy. The symptoms are real, can vary in severity, and are sometimes influenced by stress, tension, or exhaustion.

Origin and Development:

• Historical: The symptoms we now understand as FNS/FND were often previously referred to as "conversion disorder" or "hysteria." These terms originate from the 19th and early 20th centuries (Freud, Charcot).
• Modern term: From the 1990s–2000s, the term "functional neurological disorder" began to be used, as it was noted that genuine neurological dysfunction is present, but without demonstrable structural brain damage.
• International recognition:
• (2013) the condition was given the name Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder.
• (2022), the World Health Organization (WHO) International List of Diseases, classified FND as a neurological disorder—no longer a purely psychological disorder.

Key characteristics of FND/FND

FND involves disturbances in the functioning (function) of the nervous system, without demonstrable damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. The symptoms are genuine and can sometimes be disabling.

Common symptoms include:

• Motor complaints: paralysis, weakness, difficulty walking, tremors, or shaking.
• Sensory complaints: sensory disturbances, tingling, numbness, visual or hearing disturbances.
• Seizures or loss of consciousness: non-epileptic seizures (functional seizures).
• Speech and swallowing problems without neurological damage.
• Cognitive and concentration problems, often associated with fatigue or pain.
• Symptoms vary in severity or pattern and are sometimes influenced by attention or stress.

What it is not:

FND is not an "imagined illness" nor is it psychological in the sense of "all in the head." It involves a disrupted collaboration between the brain and body, in which the brain processes or transmits signals incorrectly.

In summary:

FND is now considered a bio-psycho-social disorder, in which biological, psychological, and social factors together contribute to the development and maintenance of the symptoms. It is also now recognized as a neurological disorder. With good explanation, guidance and treatment aimed at restoring brain function and movement (Functional Neurology, GyroStim, HBOT, TRT, Blood intolerance) many people can clearly improve.