Examples: Individual is not working and would like to be working. Individual is experiencing severe difficulties on the job which make it likely that the individual will be unable to maintain that employment. 1: The individual takes medication to decrease symptoms due to mental illness.

The most common functional disability type was mobility disability – defined as serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs – reported by 1 in 8 adults.

Functional Disability means an irreversible and serious limitation of a person’s physical or mental capacity or of their skills that prevents the person from living independently.

The term ‘functional’ mental illness applies to mental disorders other than dementia, and includes severe mental illness such as schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder. Symptoms of these disorders frequently persist into old age or, less frequently, begin in old age.

Many mental health professionals agree that high-functioning depression does not exist and that the term itself can be very misleading. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) does not recognize it as a clinical disorder.

Causes. The exact cause of FND is unknown, although ongoing research is starting to provide suggestions as to how and why it develops. Many different predisposing factors can make patients more susceptible to FND such as having another neurological condition, experiencing chronic pain, fatigue or stress.

Brain injury has been described as an invisible disability. Functional neurological disorder (FND) could equally be called an unknown disability, because it is not well understood or accepted by patients and some doctors.

FND is classified as a mental health condition but because it involves both neurology and psychiatry, it can take a long time to be correctly diagnosed.

For many people when they are first diagnosed with functional neurological symptoms, driving may be no longer an option or possibility at the moment, especially if you have seizures. Your consultant or doctor will be able to advise you on whether you are able to continue driving or not.

FNDs are quite common, occurring in about one quarter of the patients we see in our neurology clinics. For most people these symptoms are short-lived, but for others they persist for months or years and are very disabling.

FND symptoms are reversible. Most patients find their symptoms improve naturally with time, but recovery is usually better with access to the right support. Many people find that once they gain an understanding of FND and how to manage the symptoms they stop happening as frequently.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a collection of symptoms such as blackouts, paralysis and atypical movements that suggest the presence of an underlying neurological condition, yet cannot be explained by disease or anatomical abnormalities. FND was formerly called Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES).

There are not any standard research papers confirming or denying a genetic link. It is likely, that it is genetic for some, but is by no means going to be genetic just because it has in the past or because you now have FND.

Symptoms of FND may include, but are not limited to: Bowel and bladder problems. Seizure-like episodes. Vision problems and blindness.

There is no recognised or approved medication to treat FND, however antidepressants and pain medication may be prescribed to help relieve possible triggers or co-existing conditions.