Sunday 25 March 2018

UK FND Awareness Day 2018

Today is UK FND Awareness Day. 

FND stands for Functional Neurological Disorder, is can also be referred to as FMD or Functional Movement Disorder depending on a person's symptoms. It is an umbrella diognosis for and number of symptoms. FND affects each person uniquely, some people just have one or two symptoms, whereas others may expererice many symptoms.

FND is a problem with the brain's messaging system. Basically the hardware (body) works but the their is a malfunction with the software (brain).

Symptoms may include:
  • Seizures
  • Involuntary movements
  • Mobility issues such as poor gait and balance
  • Chronic pain
  • Fatigue
  • Bladder and bowel problems
  • Impaired cognitive function such as poor memory  difficulty thinking and concentrating etc.
  • Speech difficulties
  • Vision changes
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Muscle weakness and/or spasms
  • Sensory disturbances, such numbness and neuropathic pain e.g. pins and needles
FND can be as debilitating as other neurological disorders such as MS and Parkinson's Disease.

"It is a poorly understood illness" - Dr. Jon Stone

FND can affect anyone of any age, gender, ethnicity, or social status.

More research is needed to understand FND, though current research using fMRI scans show up the disorder.

Support for people with FND and carers and professionals can be found at: https://fndhope.org.uk