I'm 69, became disabled from FND at age 62 but it took years to figure out this diagnosis. My symptoms are textbook FND. The more I've learned, the more I've been able to improve my quality of life. I'm a veteran so I've had access to lots of programs and services, mostly focused on PTSD. I wish we had FND informed providers near me like you do in UK.  Throughout my ordeal I refused opiates and benzo medications, thankfully. My best results have been from Biofeedback and gentle yoga. Especially the yoga. It was a big leap forward when I realized my body can operate well when controlled by habit thinking, just not with conscious focus of thoughts. Frankly, i thought I was nuts untill I saw some wonderful videos like this one to enlighten my point of view. The more I've learned and thus acquired more of a sense of control, my anxiety levels decreased which lessen the conscious focus. When I can stay calm, my habit thinking controls my movements, at times surprising me. :)  It may be controversial but I think cannabis helps because it calms me and distracts my conscious focus. Thank you for this video and reading my comments.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia / CFS in 2015, then FND in 2020 after moving to Scotland. What I would say since moving to Scotland from England the treatment, information and encouragement was second to non leaving me with greater knowledge and insightful managing strategies, where I'm now able to have a life again and be more proactive.

I wish all doctors had his pleasant manner

This was a really informative lecture about how FND can be treated, hopefully Australian professionals will listen to your research. I also found it sad and confronting in regards to how early death can occur however I understand this as my lifestyle has completely changed in 4 years, going from a completely busy on the go person to an extremely idle, exhausted person

My FND symptoms started a few weeks after my first and only Astrazeneca jab which was mandated for over 60s in Australia.  I was walking 7000 steps a day until then that was 2 years ago.  Still looking for answers which I may never get.  Thank you for this very interesting and informative video.

Thank you for this video and to Dr Glenn Nielsen particularly. I have diagnosed FND for 14 years and as with most with FND my symptoms have progressed and evolved. I started with paralysis (waist down), and gait issues. This has evolved to less of these symptoms but, more to speech, tremor and facial paralysis. Both before and current problems also affect excretory systems too. Given that I know is that flickering lights and bright white car headlights (or bright white lights in general), trigger my facial paralysis, cognitive reasoning and the closing of my left eye; I have often wondered if a  clinically introducing a flickering or white light whilst undergoing a fMRI may help to distinguish what is going on neurologically in greater detail. I also know that heat, inability to take breaks when needed and high stress affects my gait and speech and cognition. I am sure these have already been extensively studied explored but, I am very interested in helping others with FND and helping the advancement of treatment and education. Best wishes and once again, thank you. Dan

This video was quite helpful and informative however functional symptoms don't always require attention. Especially considering the fact functional symptoms can impact a person 24/7. A functional symptom has no known physical cause and refers to abnormal functioning of the body. Functional symptoms also aren't caused by physical and/or psychological risk factors, those risk factors simply increase the chances of you developing a functional disorder. If those physical and psychological risk factors were truly the "cause" everyone would have functional symptoms.

"Psychological trauma is to FND what smoking is to stroke, a risk factor but not the cause." – Professor Jon
Stone, Consultant Neurologist and Honorary Senior Lecturer at the dept. of Clinical Neurosciences, University of
Edinburgh

Excellent , as an FND patient / most helpful . Thankyou .

I have a neurological movement disorder called cervical dystonia (23 years). I do not have any genetic or physical abnormalities that are known to be causing my symptoms. This is the case for almost everyone I know who has dystonia. I have experienced minor trauma throughout my life but nothing I would point to as significant. I'm wondering, based on the criteria used to diagnose somebody with FND, if most people that have movement disorders do not have any structural damage causing their disorder, and since all of us have experienced varying forms and severities of trauma throughout our lives, it would seem to me that almost all of us fall under the FND umbrella rather than straight up cervical dystonia or other forms of dystonia or other movement disorders. Could you please clarify that for me please? Thanks very much!

Thank you

This is great!.. Thanks for posting.

Kings Collage London will be releasing research at some point in 2026/27. They have been doing a thorough study into The causes and Mechanisms of FND. The study includes hours and hours of Functional MRI scans, and will be very interesting and I’m sure revealing when finished.
With regards the connection of previous abuse with FND, there is new research that shows Motor FND is more commonly triggered following an illness or viral infection, rather than an abuse experience. However, seizure FND was more associated to pre-experience of abuse or psychological trauma.
Perhaps most relevant to Neuro-physio, further research has shown that by changing the sensory sensations under a patients foot while walking, for example, walking on sand or a trampoline, can dramatically improve gait issues. I’m not sure this so much works as distraction, rather than changed sensory attention and patterns.

I have neglogical movements disorder i  need helo understanding dont know enough

My diagnosis came after failed spinal fusion and the shock that came with increased chronic pain and disability leading top drop foot twitcing sensory pain and overload. My treatment was a website and cbt I try everything medication for pain and depression got me out of bed with some ability to face being like this but nothing to really help me and its cost me everything I have a 7 year old son so i continue to fight for him. i cant imagine this going on much longer its been 5 years now and im giving up.

All neurologists in my area aren't taking patients. I'm in the USA and on a wait to go to OSHU. All I can to do is try to educate and try my own therapies from what I learn online.
I have a functional gait disorder that's triggered around people. I also have vestibular issue (extreme lack of balance when eyes closed). Would walking towards a mirror help? How could that continue to work when the mirror is gone? Please help

a lot of late diagnosed autisitc people with higher needs have this whose parents refused to get us diagnosed becsuse of having no respite from sensory problems. in a world where existing is physically painful for some of us, until the world changes, we can't function in it it's that simple sadly. i cannot feel my body in space if i close my eyes. i have no intereoception.

Everyone Lied, Organisations let me down, I panicked and got FMD, I was, and still am fighting dental fraud

If the patients prefer the title FND rather than Conversion Disorder but both mean the same why does no one ever mention the MIND/BODY connection?