FNDSA Functional Neurological Disorder South Africa

18/11/2025

11/11/2025

Yes, (functional neurological disorder) (FND) can go away:
As many people experience symptom resolution, but it may require specialized treatment.
While some individuals get better on their own, others need multidisciplinary therapies like physical and cognitive behavioral therapy to "retrain" the brain and manage symptoms.
Recovery can mean complete symptom relief for some, or a significant improvement where symptoms are more manageable.

Treatment and recovery:
Specialized treatments:
Treatment is often multidisciplinary, meaning it can involve various specialists like physical therapists, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists.

Brain retraining:
The goal is to retrain the brain, using strategies to improve movement, speech, or other neurological symptoms.

Examples of therapy:
Physical therapy:
Can help retrain movement patterns.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Can help manage symptoms, especially for those with functional seizures.

Psychological support: Can help manage the distress associated with (FND) and the disability it can cause.
Managing ongoing symptoms:
For some, symptoms may persist, especially when under stress.
In these cases, the focus shifts to managing symptoms and maintaining quality of life, which can still lead to significant improvement.

Patient involvement:
The patient is a key part of the treatment team and must practice the skills learned and provide feedback to the care team.
Factors that influence recovery

Understanding the diagnosis: Knowing what (FND) is and how symptoms are triggered is key to managing it.

Treatment view:
Believing that the treatment is effective can increase success.

Stress management:
Learning and using positive stress management techniques is beneficial.

Support systems:
Having a good social life can aid in recovery.

09/11/2025

22/10/2025

(Functional Neurological Disorder) (FND) is a condition where the brain has trouble sending and receiving signals to and from the body, affecting movement, senses, and cognitive function.
It's considered a "brain network disorder" impacting how brain areas communicate.
(FND) can cause various symptoms, including:
- *Motor Symptoms:*
- Weakness or paralysis
- Tremors
- Jerks
- Abnormal movements
- Difficulty walking
- *Sensory Symptoms:*
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Loss of sensation
- Vision problems (double vision, blindness)
- Hearing problems
- *Cognitive Symptoms:*
- Memory issues
- Difficulty concentrating
- Confusion
- *Other Symptoms:*
- Seizure-like episodes (non-epileptic seizures)
- Speech difficulties (slurred speech, stuttering)
- Swallowing problems

(FND) can be triggered by various factors, includind functional-neurological-disorder-basics):
- *Stress*
- *Physical trauma*
- *Neurological conditions*
- *Mental health conditions* (anxiety, depression, PTSD)
- *Genetic predisposition*
- *Environmental factors*

Diagnosis involves a comprehensive assessment, including:
- *Medical history*
- *Physical examination*
- *Neurological tests*
(e.g., EEG, EMG)
- *Imaging studies*
(e.g., MRI, CT scans)

Treatment typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, (functional-neurological-disorder)
- *Physical therapy* to improve movement and strength
- *Occupational therapy* to enhance daily functioning
- *Speech therapy* for communication and swallowing issues
- *Psychological therapy* to (manage stress), (anxiety), and other emotional factors
- *Medications* may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms

It's essential to work with a healthcare team to develop a personalized treatment plan, as (FND) can vary significantly from person to person.

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which there is a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to one or more parts of the body. FND is not caused by a disease or injury.

24/09/2025