Suddenly imagine moving an organ, walking, walking or losing the ability to speak.
You will probably recognize it as a medical emergency and reach the hospital.
Now imagine that doctors in the hospital conducted some tests and then said, “Good news! All your tests were normal, clear scan, and nothing is wrong. You can go home!” Nevertheless, you are still experiencing very real and disabled symptoms.
Unfortunately, this is the experience of many people with functional neurological disorders. Worse, some are blamed and reprimanded for exaggerating or throwing their symptoms.
So, what is this disorder, and why is it so challenging to identify and treat it?
What is functional neurological disorder?
Neurological disorders are conditions that affect how the nervous system works. The nervous system sends and receives a message between other parts of your body, which regulates many types of functions in other parts of your body, such as movement, speaking, vision, thinking and digestion.
For untrained eye, functional neurological disorders may be similar to other conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or epilepsy.
However, unlike these conditions, functional neurological symptoms are not due to damage or disease process affecting the nervous system. This means that the disorder does not appear on regular brain imaging and other tests.
Functional symptoms, instead, are due to laxity in processing information between many brain networks. Simply put, it is the problem of brain software, not hardware.
what are the symptoms?
Functional neurological disorders can produce a polymorphic of diverse and changing symptoms. This often adds confusion to patients and makes diagnosis more challenging.
Symptoms may include paralysis or abnormal movement such as shocks, shocks and ticks. It often makes difficulty in walking or coordinating movements.
Sensory symptoms may include numbness, tingling or loss of vision.
Functional seizures and disruptive symptoms such as blackouts are also common.
Some people experience cognitive symptoms, including problems in finding brain fog or correct words. Fatigue and chronic pain with these symptoms often co -existence.
These symptoms can be severe and disturbing and, without treatment, can persist for years. For example, some people with functional neurological disorders cannot run and should use wheelchairs for decades.
The diagnosis involves identifying the clinical signals installed and ensuring that no other diagnosis is remembered. This process is best done by an experienced neurologist or neurocycatist.
How common is this?
The functional neurological disorder is one of the most common medical conditions seen in emergency care and outpatient neurology clinics.
It affects 10-22 people per 100,000 per year. This makes more common than multiple sclerosis.
Despite this, it is often recognized and misunderstood by healthcare professionals. This delays diagnosis and treatment.
This lack of awareness also contributes to the notion that it is rare, when it is actually common among neurological disorders.
Who affects functional neurological disorders?
This condition can affect anyone, although it is more common in women and small people. About two-thirds of patients are women, but this gender inequality decreases with age.
The understanding of disorder has developed considerably in the last few decades, but there is still more to learn. Many biological, psychological and social factors can stop people.
Genetics, painful life experiences, anxiety and depression may increase risk. Existing symptoms of stressful life, illness or physical injuries can trigger or deteriorate.
But not all of the disorder have experienced significant trauma or stress.
How is it treated?
If left untreated, about half of this condition will remain the same, or their symptoms will deteriorate. However, with the help of experienced physicians, many people can make rapid recovery when treatment starts quickly.
There are no specific drugs for functional neurological disorders, but individual rehabilitation directed by experienced physicians is recommended.
Some people may require a team of multi -disciplines that may include physiotherapists, business therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and doctors.
People also require accurate information about their situation, as they play an important role in understanding and confidence recovery about disorders. Accurate information helps patients develop more realistic expectations, reduces anxiety and can empower people to become more active in their recovery.
Treating common co-existing conditions, such as anxiety or depression, can also be helpful.
A dark history
The origin of the disorder lies deeply in its pre-scientific ancestor-hysteria sexist history. The legacy of hysteria has put a long shade, which contributes to a wrong bias in perception and treatment. This historical reference has led to the ongoing stigma, where symptoms were often labeled as psychologists and did not warrant treatment.
Women with functional symptoms often face doubts and dismissal. In some cases, there is significant damage through stigma, insufficient care and poor management. Modern medicine has tried to address these prejudices by identifying functional neurological disorders as a valid condition.
The possibility of lack of education for medical professionals contributes to stigma. Many physicians report less confidence and knowledge about their ability to manage disorders.
A bright future?
Fortunately, awareness, research and interest have increased in the last decade. Several treatment approaches are being tested, including specialist physiotherapy, psychological treatment and non-invasive brain stimulation.
The patient -led organization and support network are advocating improvement in health systems, research and education. The goal is to unite patients, their families, physicians and researchers to carry forward a new standard of care around the world.
Benjamin Scriptner is a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences at the University of Auckland, Vipapa Tumta Rau.
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