Functional Neurologic Disorders
Previously called “Conversion Disorders” FND is a medical condition with a rich history. It is one of the most well understood and treatable conditions in neurology and psychiatry, but one of the most neglected. Non-epileptic seizures are the second most common diagnosis made in Epilepsy clinics. Functional movement disorders are one of the top 5 diagnoses made in a movement clinic. Every psychiatrist and psychotherapist has the tools to treat it, but fewer that 1% of these patients get standard of care treatment. Here is the place to learn more about these common disorders.
Functional Movement Disorders
One of the first thoroughly studied functional neurologic disorders was found in veterans returning from war. While Charcot was discovering the benefits of hypnosis, some of his students were identifying what exam findings predicted a “structural problem” of the brain or spinal cord, and what exam findings were more common in those who could improve with psychiatric treatments.
FND Treatment 101
The core to treatment is to understand that the biopsychology of FND has many layers. On the most surface layer, one part of the brain is doing something without the permission of the other part of the brain. We think that most activity is intentional (volitional) but in reality the majority of our thoughts, movements, and behaviors are going on without our awareness.