FND
Not everyone understands what FND means when I mention it, so I want to take a moment to explain—because this is my diagnosis, and it’s important.
FND stands for Functional Neurological Disorder, and it comes with far more than most people realize… including seizures.
Many of my seizures are non-epileptic, meaning they do not cause direct injury to the brain. However, there are times when epileptic seizures can also occur. I’m sharing this now because I recently went through something incredibly scary and painful after my spinal cord surgery, and I truly feel people need to understand what this looks like—and how to help someone experiencing it.
For the past 13 days, I was having non-epileptic seizures. At first, they were smaller, lasting about a minute. By the time I was admitted to the hospital, they had escalated to episodes lasting nearly 12 minutes. I now have fresh bruises on my body. Nurses had to perform sternum rubs, use grounding and distraction techniques, and administer oxygen because my oxygen levels dropped into the 70s.
Throughout it all, I was aware of what was happening—but in a fog. I could feel my body moving and thrusting back, which only caused more pain to a surgery I had just undergone. It was terrifying.
FND can be triggered by stress, trauma, emotional overwhelm, and even physical illness or pain. In my case, many of my seizure symptoms were intensified by the severe pain I was experiencing from a concussion I sustained in my car accident.
What helped me the most during these episodes wasn’t force or fear—it was human connection. Nurses and techs talking to me, holding my hand, rubbing my back, and gently distracting my brain made all the difference. That compassion grounded me when my nervous system could not.
FND presents in many ways: eye deviation, pain, memory loss, and countless other symptoms. It is complex, real, and deeply misunderstood.
Trauma is not something you can simply “walk away” from—and I’m only just beginning to truly understand that. Your body is part of you, and you are part of it. It knows when you are not okay. It recognizes what you’re avoiding, whether or not you ever say it out loud.
So please—take care of yourself.
Listen to your body.
And when someone is struggling, know that sometimes the most powerful medicine is simply being there.
Living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a deeply challenging journey that extends well beyond the physical symptoms it presents. FND can manifest in many ways, making it a complex condition to understand both for patients and those around them. From my experience, what stands out most is how emotional and physical stress can intensify symptoms such as non-epileptic seizures, which can sometimes be mistaken for epileptic seizures but have different underlying mechanisms. After my recent spinal cord surgery, I noticed how the stress and pain from my procedure, combined with previous injuries like a concussion, significantly worsened my seizure episodes. The seizures escalated from brief moments to prolonged episodes lasting nearly twelve minutes, which was not only frightening but physically taxing, leaving me with bruises and increased pain. One crucial insight I've learned is the power of human connection during these episodes. Medical interventions like oxygen administration and sternum rubs are vital, but what truly grounded me was the compassion shown by the nurses and technicians. Holding my hand, engaging me in gentle conversation, and offering comforting touches helped distract my brain and reduced the intensity of the seizures. This human interaction acted as a grounding mechanism when my nervous system was overwhelmed. FND symptoms go beyond seizures—they include eye deviation, memory loss, chronic pain, and a variety of neurological disturbances that affect daily life. It is also important to recognize that trauma—whether physical, emotional, or psychological—plays a significant role in triggering and exacerbating these symptoms. Understanding that trauma and emotional overwhelm can't simply be 'walked away' from is essential for empathy and treatment. For those caring for someone with FND, patience and presence are key. The most effective support often comes not from trying to control or stop the symptoms forcibly but by providing a steady, calming presence. Listening to your own body and recognizing early signs of stress can help manage the disorder better and potentially reduce severe episodes. If you or someone you know is living with FND, reaching out to specialized healthcare providers who understand this condition is crucial. Treatments often involve multidisciplinary approaches including neurology, psychology, physical therapy, and social support. Remember, FND is a real and serious disorder that deserves awareness, understanding, and compassionate care. Your body and mind are interconnected, and healing often begins with acknowledging this delicate balance.