This article will explore the seven types of functional neurological disorders, often misunderstood by the public. A physical injury or brain damage does not cause the disorders. They are not considered mental illnesses either. These disorders are more difficult to diagnose because they do not have a specific medical test.

Neurologists use a person’s symptoms and medical history to make an accurate diagnosis. This article will explore the seven types of functional neurological disorders, what they are, and how they can affect your brain.

 What is a Functional Neurological Disorder?

A Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a brain-related disorder that affects how the brain works. Any known medical condition or injury does not cause FNDs. They are diagnosed based on their symptoms and their history of impacting their lives.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) encompasses a wide range of neurological symptoms

It is apparent that the basic neural wiring in the brain is intact, however, there is an issue with the way the brain receives and transmits signals. These factors influence the body’s ability to perform different tasks, such as movement control and attention.

Patients are often told that functional neurological disorder is a reaction to past trauma or as a symptom of stress. In most cases, these explanations fail and cause patients to feel alienated, stigmatized, and unbelieved. The main problem with such explanations is that they turn a potential risk factor into a cause for concern.

7 Types of Functional Neurological Disorders and What You Should Know

Below is a list of 7 types of functional neurological disorders and what you should know about them:

1. Conversion Disorder

This condition is when people have neurological symptoms that any physical cause cannot explain. Emotional or psychological stressors often cause them, and they may not even know they have it.

2. Factitious Disorder

This condition is when people intentionally create their symptoms to assume the role of someone who has a neurological disorder.

3. Dissociative Amnesia

Dissociative amnesia is characterized by an inability to recall important personal information, usually about traumatic or stressful events. Dissociative amnesia is an issue that has been studied for many years, but it remains a mystery. While most people with the condition experience memory loss, there are still many unanswered questions regarding the disorder. The main concern is whether dissociative amnesia is a mental health issue or something that another physical illness can cause.

4. Somatization Disorder

Somatization Disorder is a mental disorder in which the person has one or more physical symptoms that cannot be fully explained by a general medical condition, such as pain without an identifiable cause, excessive fatigue without an identifiable cause, and gastrointestinal problems without an identifiable cause.

People with somatization disorder are often diagnosed with other disorders as well. They may have depression or anxiety, for instance. A person with somatization disorder may also have another mental illness such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) lists the following criteria for this diagnosis:

– The person has at least four physical symptoms that are distressing and cannot be fully explained by a general medical condition

– The person’s physical symptoms must not be due to the direct effects of a substance (e.g., medication, food, alcohol) or a general medical condition

5. Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is a mental health condition that affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

Symptoms of panic disorder include:

-Intense feelings of terror for no reason.

-Feelings of impending doom or death.

-Rapid heart rate and shortness of breath.

-Nausea, dizziness, shaking, or trembling.

-The feeling that one is detached from reality or oneself.

-A sense that one’s body is unreal or unfamiliar.

6. Malingering Disorder

Malingering Disorder is a mental disorder that causes an individual to deliberately fake or exaggerate symptoms of an illness or injury to avoid work, school, military service, or criminal prosecution.

A person suffering from Malingering Disorder might pretend they are ill when they are not and may be able to fool doctors into thinking they have the disease. They might also pretend to have physical disabilities and use crutches even though their legs work just fine.

The person with Malingering Disorder might also fake symptoms of mental illness like schizophrenia or depression. They may claim to hear voices telling them what to do and even claim that people are out to get them.

7. Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: 

This condition occurs when seizures originate from the temporal lobe, located on the side of your head above your ear and below your temple. These seizures can affect memory, behavior, sensations, emotions, and language skills.

Functional Neurological Disorders are not a medical diagnosis. They are neurological conditions caused by several factors, including emotional distress and physical injury.

What to Expect with Treatment Options for FNDs

The treatment for FNDs is different from person to person. The type of treatment used depends on the symptoms and how severe the disorder is. There are many treatment options for brain disorders, but there are no cures. Some treatments can help with symptoms, but they will not cure them.

It is important to note that the treatment options for FNDs are not limited to medications but also include other interventions like Neuro–physiotherapy, Neuro-psychotherapy, Occupational therapy, Social Care, Speech therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, etc.

The most common treatment for FNDs is medication, which can be either a prescription or over-the-counter. However, many other treatments are available, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and physical therapy. These treatments are often used in conjunction with medication to relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.

 

Reference
Cock HR, Edwards MJ.  Functional neurological disorders: acute presentations and management Clin Med (Lond). 2018;18(5):414–417. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.18-5-414

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