r/FND

I know r/survivingnfd does exist, but it kinda is more focused on people that actually found out, for sure, that the fnd was a misdiagnosis

It is quite often on this sub that I see people edging on not respecting Rule 13, and truly I understand, I do

Because of the mess that was my medical situation, I started showing symptoms at 14, it became unbearable at 17 and I was left without answers until 23.

During this mess, I had plenty of people, doctors, saying I was hysteric, or a liar, or saying it might be something and backtracking the day after, leaving me with no satisfying answer.

I remember that time, but, for me, NFD was my satisfying answer. It made sense, it is what I have, and it is kinda hard, to have come so far, and to read that even here, some people insinuate that NFD is not a real diagnosis, that is it the "we stopped looking, we gave up on you diagnosis"

I don't know how to both convey that I understand the feeling and I want you to have a space to talk about those feelings, and I don't feel like it should be here.

now i know, it’s a “functional disorder” that causes specific symptoms, but a lot of people (most people) here seem to actually have something wrong with their brain structure already, but it is really a functional disorder then? when researching it it seems fairly simple as a disorder, brain can’t communicate properly due to functional cellular problems, so errors in movement occur, PNES, muscle twitches, etc. and apparently it is a SUPER common disorder and is the second highest reason for all neurologist visits?? so many people here seem to have already existing issues which doctors have turned down because they aren’t severe enough. so how many people actually have no prior issues?

As the title suggests, my husband is not convinced he has FND. He's been diagnosed by three different neurologists after an exhaustive, years long workup involving labs, advanced imaging, swallow studies, endoscopy, laryngoscopy, and at least 4 or 5 EMGs over the last couple of years. One diagnosing physician is an ALS specialist at MGH and the other is a movement disorder and FND specialist, also at MGH. He also is diagnosed with cramp fasciculation syndrome.

He is currently doing neuro PT and speech for his weakness, swallowing issues and muscle tension dysphonia (falls under the FND spectrum). He is referred to OT and I'm trying to find a psychotherapist who treats FND while he waits on an appointment with the FND clinic at MGH.

He feels gaslit and like doctors are telling him it's his own fault. I want to support him, but I also don't agree there's some other disease process going on that's hasn't been detected by top neurologists in the country.

What convinced you you had FND? What should I do? I already have two autistic kids to care for and a full time job as a nurse caring for other people all day and he's on disability and I just have bad caregiver burnout. I don't blame him for any of this, I just need help!

I didn’t know Reddit had an FND page. This makes my life incredibly amazing knowing there are so many people like me. I hope to make some friendly acquaintances on here. I hate having this disorder. It is comforting in a way knowing I’m not alone.

P.s. I’m trying to not have an episode right now haha

(I don’t know if I posted this under the right label, but I’m sure the moderators will flag it if it’s wrong)

*Edit: thank you all for the love and support! I did stop the episode from occurring. I wish you all well 🫶

So I’m pretty sure I have fnd, developed very recently. I was referred to a neurologist and am wondering if it’d be smart to bring up FND to the neurologist when I meet him. I know a lot of doctors don’t like when you bring up disorders and tell them what you think you have. But I’m like 99.99999% sure I have it and so is my family.
I want to tell him so that it isn’t just ruled off as anxiety. But idk

Does anyone have Covid vaccine and shortly thereafter develop fnd symptoms?

Hi everyone I'm 19 f got recently diagnosed with fnd I haven't been to college for a while bc it has been difficult for me I'm studying digital/graphic design there is a lot of drawing and deadlines which won't work for me since my right hand gets weak often and shakes too much. So I'm looking for something else I can do in college or a job that could be possible for me to do if anyone has suggestions please tell me in the comments!

My symptoms are: difficulties with walking( sometimes worse then usual weakness), cant stand for over 40± minutes , my right hand gets weak and shakey often, speech problems (my voice goes away randomly), sometimes I have some uncontrollable moves in my body especially head and legs, my lip corner droops often, my symptoms come and go very often so I'm good for like 2 days then I'm bad for 3 than I'm half good than I'm bad again etc.. so it's not a change over long periods but short periods.

If there are any questions that might help figure out what I can do please lmk !

Hi. I was wondering if I could share my symptoms with you guys. My MRI was clean but some doctors still considered Ms I was sent to a neurologist who totally pushed past me rolled her eyes and sighed and then mentioned FND and honestly im scared if that's what it is then that's what it is but...I just wanted help..to be looked into....not shoved aside.. I hope you all are doing okay and taking care of yourself <3

It is the first time my neuropathic pains are this bad.

I am on my period so already in exteme pain , but the cramps are mixing with the burning sensation on the skin.

My entire left leg , espevially behind the upper thigh feels like it is on fire , the touch of fabric on my skin or just sitting is terrible. I cannot go to the toilet because the inflamed area is near my rectum (glamorous) and the contraction made me almost pass out from the pain..

The lightning sensations, the stabbing pain at random moments , it is becoming unbearable and basic painkillers don't help.

I am exhausted and scared. If I go to the doctor I'm scared it will just be humiliating having to describe such symptoms and being sent home with paracetamol.. I don't know how to find any relief.

why is everything exhausting? how can i deal with this severe fatigue?, im struggling to do anything, fixing my posture tires me. going to the toilet makes me out of breath. im so tired i cant even socialize.

im currently going through finals season, i cant study i just cant, when i focus or use my brain, i get soooo fatigued and out of breath. im so sick of being sick. im newly diagnosed (2 months ago). im so lonely going through this. im doing my best and im trying to be optimistic but im physically too tired to keep being optimistic.

do you guys have any advice ?
please inform me if any of this is triggering, im new to the sub and the community. thank you 🤍

Hi! First post here!

Today I was on the train sitting in priority seating. It was a packed train, a few people standing. An older woman(maybe 60 years old) came onto the train. The lady next to me makes a very obvious show about offering her seat to the woman, saying to her, “They’re just selfish, don’t even care about their surroundings,” talking about me.

I’m a pretty anxious person and have had FND for coming up to 4 years. I’ve just recently gotten an acrod and am 21 years old. I have gait issues sometimes and so sometimes use a walking stick. I can’t stand for very long as I get easily fatigued, dizzy and lightheaded. Most of the time it’s totally invisible.

I am aware and pretty anxious of how it looks parking in acrod spaces and sitting in priority seating on the train, as a seemingly healthy and young person. I often don’t use my acrod because of this, as ‘others might need it more’.

Today it finally happened. And it felt really horrible. On the train ride home I refused to sit down, too anxious that I shouldn’t be taking up a seat that people older than me should have.

I’m feeling pretty anxious about taking public transport again.

Title says everything. Symptoms worsen it seems daily.

I’m wondering if anyone with FND drives a car? Years ago I failed my exam so I would have to redo lessons etc. But honestly, it feels like it would be dangerous for me to drive so I’m not going to, but maybe that depends on what your symptoms are and if it get’s better overtime? But what if suddenly I would get a seizure, more brainfog or even paralysation? Would be great if I’d get some insights on this!

Hi there,

I'm writing a novella where the main character has FND. I think it's nice when stories have representation but don't revolve around someone's illness/disability. What I've read from papers/research differs from what I read on forums. I'd like her story to reflect lived experiences. I'd appreciate if you could answer some or most of these questions!

What has been your experience getting a diagnosis? 

If you have a family doctor/GP, what is your relationship with them like? 

What are your primary symptoms?

How does FND affect your daily life?

What mobility aids have you used? Are your friends, family, and/or doctor supportive of you using mobility aids?

How has your life changed before vs after getting sick?

Thanks in advance!

I have a functional capacity test tomorrow. It's 2 1/2 hours long. If I'm on my feet for more than 10 minutes I start having trouble walking and have to use a cane. Any kind of physical activity (doing dishes, folding laundry, cooking) for more than 20-30 minutes on a REALLY good day and I can barely move at all and either freeze up, unable to speak or move or else have to practically crawl using my cane and my walls back to my bedroom.

I can't even watch TV or read a book for over an hour without a "brain break" for 20 minutes or I'll start dissociating and freeze up.

Yet I keep being told by my family that planning to have someone strong enough to help carry me out of doctor appointments, warning people of what might happen and giving them instructions for what to do it does (ex: I have a Neurological Disorder, if x, y, z happens I'm not having a stroke, don't call for an ambulance. Instead call this person to pick me up) is actually making me have the symptoms and I'd be doing better if I didn't plan around my symptoms so much.

Does anyone else have this?? People constantly telling you that happy thoughts and self belief are going to magically make you better? To just every day try to do 10% more than you did the day before (real suggestion from my mother)???

Don't get me wrong, I know believing i can get better is PART of it. I do affirmations and breathing meditations and research how to help myself get better sustainably.

But I am so SICK of people acting like this is my fault. Because that's the underlying implication; of you didn't think negatively, you would be better. You are only symptomatic because you are thinking about symptoms.

Like somehow I just up and decided to be afraid of walking one day and woke up the next day struggling to walk.

Sorry for the rant fest, but no one in my life seems to get it. My husband is my best advocate, but even he seems to just assume that if I was able to find a basket of laundry yesterday (and then passed out for 2 hours) that I can consistently do it.

I'm exhausted and stir crazy and heartbroken and lonely and grieving the life I had even a month and a half ago when my daily symptoms were significanyly more manageable. And to constantly be told but everyone that it's somehow my fault when what I really need is a hug and an "I got you" is really, really hard.

Hello everyone. To get into my question, I should probably first give you a bit of a background on myself.

I am a 36 year old male and I have a few autoimmune issues. In my early teens I developed vitiligo which, mostly on my shins and hands and it stopped spreading a few years later. Then at age 19, while studying in college I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. I have managed this fairly well, some weeks better than others, but have done a pretty good job with it over the years.

Now I must say I did have a fairly traumatic childhood objectively speaking, those I look back on childhood as mostly positive. I had (and still have) a very close relationship with my mother and step father but an extremely traumatic relationship with my biological father and I have not spoken to him since I turned 22 (so 14ish years) and dont suspect I ever will. My mom married my step father when I was 3 and I have called him “dad” ever since and as far as I am concerned he is my dad and I am very close to him. Despite the trauma I have never seen a therapist.

When I was 24 I noticed a blind spot in my vision. I can literally remember asking my mom what her biggest fear in life was when I was a very young child and telling her that my biggest fear was going blind. So when I noticed this blind spot (and being type 1) I immediately began to obsess over it. There was a sense of dread that my life long fear of going blind was written in the stars for me. Immediately I scheduled an appointment with a specialist who looked at my eyes and said “your eyes look great. There are no signs of retinopathy and everything looks fine as far as we can tell”

The spot never left. It has been there ever since in the exact same location and appears as a dark spot in my vision that I cannot see through. Fast forward a few years later and I had developed two new spots. A second spot in my left eye and a new spot in my right eye. iI scheduled another appointment with the specialist but the results were the same. Not accepting this for an answer I scheduled an appointment with a specialist at Duke University. They ran numerous tests and after all of them, also said there was nothing they could find wrong with my eyes, no signs of retinopathy and no indications of visual damage. But I knew exactly where each spot was and cannot see anything where they are. They never go away and never change.

Now at 36 I have many soots in each eye. I gain a new spot in my vision every 6-12 months and they have been permanent from the time I notice them. Having failed with a few specialist I have sort of accepted this. But I am a HIGHLY anxious person. I have high levels of anxiety and I obsess over these spots constantly. My partner will catch me looking at objects or colors with one eye open to examine if my eyes are getting worse on a daily basis. I probably do it over 50 times a day, every day, for the last 12 years.

Today I had an appointment with my endocrinologist. On my last appointment they did an eye exam. I have been expecting the “well you have retinopathy“ conversation since my last appointment as each eye now has numerous blind spots. But the results said I have the very beginning stage of retinopathy in my left eye and none in my right eye. And said that the retinopathy in my left eye would not cause any visual impairment at this stage and by catching it so early, likely never will with good management and treatment.

This was once again frustrating. How can this be? I have significant blind spots in both eyes!

I did more research and that’s when I found FND (which I discovered by the old name Conversion Disorder).

Having just discovered It today, I have many questions but so much of what I have read is relatable. The numerous doctors visits that can’t identify my symptoms partnered by high levels of anxiety and a traumatic background in particular.

I have now listened to a few hours worth of podcasts and have read an additional few hours worth of material on FND. It seems very plausible to me that I may be dealing with this.

But I am curious about a few things and would love to hear from others here. I have been reading through some of the posts on this sub and have heard things like “the issue fluctuates or is worse at some times and better at others” which has not been my experience. My spots have never changed since they appeared. The remain the same shape and size and have been a permanent fixture in my vision since I have noticed them. Does this ring true to anyone else’s experience?

I realize it isn’t wise to self diagnose but I have sought help so many times and found no answers. It has kind of put me on a “take matters into your own hands” mindset after being told so many times that they can’t find anything wrong. I am planning on contacting some psychologist professionals later in the week and exploring this possibility, however. I am also going to email a few people who have personal experience dealing with FND specifically. But I just wanted to see If anyone has experienced anything similar or, for those who are more aware of FND could tell me of what I am experiencing sounds like a plausible FND symptom. I know you can’t give me a diagnosis on Reddit lol. But does the permanent spots in vision sound like something that would potentially align with the diagnosis?

Sorry for the long best and thank you so much for the answers you may have in advance. I am just trying to learn more about this and see what thoughts people in this sub may have as I go forward. I appreciate whatever information you may be able to give me.

I get a very weird reaction when I drink. I can’t even get drunk because as soon as I get the buzz I start twitching. It also sometimes causes drop attacks and also I start “acting high” according to my friends.

Is this related to FND and has anyone else experienced this???

Hi all,

I’m a 26yr old that has been diagnosed with FND for about 5 months now, and if I’m honest i think ive had it longer than that.

Since being diagnosed, ive been honest about it with my manager. All in all, ive had maybe just over a week off since starting the job because of FND. But after my recent time off in which i was hospitalised and provided a sick note deeming me unsafe for a few days, my job is at risk. For reference, I am a chef in a carehome, and the kitchen team is very small. My manager has basically told me that there is a chance i may be deemed as a risk and unable to continue working as a chef.

So ive secretly been looking at other jobs and was wondering what some of ya’ll do that you find you can manage when symptoms are bad.

Thank you!

Okay, so, I guess I'm introducing myself by jumping right into the thick of it.

My name is LTT. I just found out I was diagnosed with FND back on April 2nd of this year, during a neurology visit where, to my understanding, I had met yet another vague end to my treatment options. I had fought, as I often do, to have my symptoms be taken seriously. After talking some and completing several exams, the neurologist had brought FND up. However, they used words like "might be" and "we'll see" and "we'll keep an opening for you to return if there are any worsening/new symptoms that could point to FND"..

I had no idea that I'd been dx with anything! I had to find out through my new PT that I'd been sent to for Vertigo, under a misdiagnosis that - turns out, is very likely related to my brand new FN-fucking-D Diagnosis. I've been dx with BPPV for three years, without help - only to finally get that help, and be met with this shock.

Not only that, but come to find out, there's a whole wrap around services clinic in my area, specifically for those who are suspected to have FND! And I wasn't placed on any waitlist, given any refferal, nor told I was now saddled with this new diagnostic code..

I can't tell how I feel. Maybe sick, despite the irony.

Thanks for listening.

More details copied from a personal post below:

#05/04/26 LTT Appointment Log - PT for BPPV

On 03/13/26, one of the most severe episodes of Vertigo I've ever experienced sent me to the ER. On that day, I could not walk or move without triggering an intense spinning sensation, and this went on for over 3 hours. This led to an ambulance ride, and several hours of observation.

EMT Notes:

>!Bib amr from home sudden dizziness, blurred vision and loss of balance with syncopal episode w/o fall, leaning to right while walking...!<

>!...Hx vertigo, ptsd, panic attacks!<

And notes from the ER:

>!Neuro: ...Positive Dix-Hallpike on the left...!<

>!(LTT) is a 27-year-old ...presenting with dizziness that started at 11 AM. No focal deficits identified on examination. Positive Dix-Hallpike most suggestive of BPPV; patient also reports history of this. Less likely DDX includes somatic symptoms. No focal deficits to suggest TIA/CVA or headache to suggest ICH. Will treat with meclizine..!<

During my stay last March, it was noted in my chart that on 10/05/23 I had been diagnosed with BPPV. With this, some medication for my symptoms was given to me, and a few hours later, some maneuvers utilized for those in BPPV episodes were executed. Following the medication and the maneuvers, I was able to shuffle around enough to be discharged, and so it was concluded to have been a severe episode BPPV.

On 05/04/26 I had my follow up on my refferal to PT for Vertigo. During the appointment, I shared with the provider that I had been having episodes of dizziness and vertigo since I was quite young, around 12yrs old or so. I shared my history, as well as my most recent findings with my other providers. We talked for a while, and did several movement tests to determine if I truly was experiencing BPPV (previously dx by an otolaryngologyst: 10/05/23).

>!At my previous appointment in 2023, I was positive for "Dix-Hall Pike to the right", and for "...a few beats of nystagmus while moving from supine to seated...", which prompted the initial diagnosis.!< During this most recent appointment however, I was sent on my way, having shown no signs of BPPV during my exam.

My provider instead, noted this:

"(LTT) is a 28 year old person >!referred for vestibular PT for presumed BPPV. (LTT) reports of vestibular symptoms go back to their childhood but they presented to the ED in March of 2026 due to a prolonged episode of vertigo.!< Today, (LTT)'s oculomotor exam was unremarkable and their testing for BPPV was all negative. They were recently diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder by their neurologist and they were in agreement that their symptoms may be a manifestation of FND. (LTT) has had limited success in establishing with mental health providers as an adult but were open to being further evaluated for FND in the multidisciplinary clinic. I will request consideration for this referral from the neurologist as well as (LTT)'s PCP.

>!Given that there was no peripheral or vestibular cause identified for their vestibular symptoms, I will not plan to follow (LTT) for PT at this time."!<

For now I've removed the ICD-code for BPPV (H81.10) in my bio, and I've added the code for FND (F44.7) instead.

I guess where we go from here is toward a deeper investigation into the possibility that I am experiencing vertigo as a manifestation of FND. I'm both somewhat hopeful and somewhat hopeless.. this is not the road I expected to be on.

Will the dx of FND damn me, as it has many, many others in my reasearch and reading? Will it mean I get the more appropriate, wrap around care that I need?

We'll see.

(Last Updated: 22:23 05/06/26)