So, they don’t believe you?
Back at it with another awareness post, let’s talk about FND! Now what the hell is FND? It’s a complex condition called Functional Neurological Disorder, and you’re blessed if someone believes it’s real.
One day, your brain betrays you. You’re probably a teenager and notice your arm keeps twitching or one leg won’t stop kicking back and forth. You want it to stop, beg it, but nothing happens. Weird, but you’ll probably ignore it.
Then you can’t. Maybe you’ll have episodes of blindness, lose the ability to speak for a few hours, or become paralyzed for hours. Time goes missing, you’ll later realize those are seizures. Hours are now weeks. You’ll get a thousand tests, all saying nothing is wrong. People will scream at you, you’ll get called a faker and threatened with being admitted to a mental hospital. Eventually you’ll get sent home and you’ll beg your parents to believe you in tears. It stops. Now it’s an episode no one wants to talk about. You’ll convince yourself it wasn’t real. But it’ll be back.
That was my life at 16. I spent years telling myself it was all a bad dream. In passing I mentioned it to a pain therapist and she put the pieces together. There is no cure, protocol, exact treatment, or specialists. I don’t see a single doctor for it, but it’ll lurk there. I hope one day I’ll be believed by more doctors and there will be specialists, maybe I won’t be threatened with a mental health facility when I need help. Until then, I hope this was informative. If you’re going through the hell of FND, you’re not alone 🫶🏻 #fnd #fndawarenesscommunity #disabilityawareness
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a challenging condition that affects the way the brain functions, leading to neurological symptoms that are not explained by traditional medical tests. Symptoms can range from paralysis to episodes of blindness, and they often appear suddenly, further complicating the diagnosis and treatment journey. Many individuals with FND experience disbelief and skepticism from others, which can heighten feelings of isolation and frustration. Shared experiences and testimonies are vital in raising awareness about FND and fostering a compassionate understanding of this disorder. It is crucial for those diagnosed with FND to seek supportive communities and resources. Engaging with FND awareness networks can provide valuable emotional support and information about coping strategies. From therapy options to lifestyle adjustments, various treatments can help manage symptoms, even though there currently isn't a definitive cure. Understanding FND is not just about the medical aspects but also about validating the experiences of those who suffer from it. By promoting awareness and education, we can work together to dispel myths surrounding FND and advocate for better treatment options and recognition of this legitimate medical condition. Those experiencing FND should know they are not alone and that support is available.
I’ve never heard of this, but does it happen at all times or just when you’re sitting in a calm state watching tv etc? I ask because I can be watching tv, looking at my phone, etc in a calm state and my right leg and both arms twitch sometimes they literally will jump so bad they come up off of wherever I am sitting at the moment (if that makes sense to you) I don’t know how else to describe it but it’s definitely more than a twitch! But it’s only those limbs. I have had a stroke and suffer from chronic migraines, I have other health problems but those are the only neurological problems that I have that I’m aware of anyway. Would this be something I should discuss with my primary care doctor you think? You talking about the FND has made me curious now, because I do have a lot of things going on that I’m being tested for or should say I have been being tested for a while now because they can’t figure out what is causing my symptoms or my pain pretty much anything! Going on I would say 2-3 years now and several different doctors!