Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Resources and Information
For many individuals diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), one of the most challenging aspects is the difficulty of finding FND-informed health care professionals as well as reliable FND resources and information. It is common to encounter conflicting explanations, outdated terminology, or material that does not reflect clinical understanding based on current research.
Access to accurate FND resources is an important step in understanding and managing FND. A clear and consistent explanation can help reduce uncertainty, support engagement in treatment, and provide a framework for making sense of symptoms. For this reason, it is often helpful to identify a small number of trusted FND resources, rather than attempting to navigate the wide range of information and social media groups available online. This page outlines a selection of reliable resources that are widely used within a clinical and research setting, and are generally considered to provide accurate, evidence-based information about FND.
Understanding FND
One of the most widely recommended FND resources is the Neurosymptoms website developed by neurologist Jon Stone and colleagues: www.neurosymptoms.org
The Neurosymptoms website provides detailed explanations of different FND symptoms, including weakness, tremor, and non-epileptic seizures. It is written specifically for patients and is grounded in current clinical and research knowledge. Many neurologists use this FND resource as part of the diagnostic explanation, as it represents information in a way that is both accessible and consistent with contemporary models of FND.
In addition to clinical care, a number of organisations provide education, advocacy, and support for individuals diagnosed with FND. Two websites for support and understanding FND are www.fndhope.org and www.fndaustralia.com.au
FND Australia offers information about the condition, raises awareness, and works to improve recognition of FND within the Australian healthcare system and provides contact information for FND-informed clinicians.
Internationally, FND Hope is an international organisation providing educational material, advocacy, and support resources. It includes information about symptoms, treatment approaches, and lived experience. While it has a broader focus that includes community support, it also maintains links to research, clinical developments, and contact information for FND-informed clinicians.
The FND Society is an international organisation that brings together clinicians and researchers to advance understanding, treatment and education about FND. The society also supports the development of clinical guidelines and provides access to educational materials that reflect current evidence. These organisations can be helpful in providing consistent, up-to-date information and in reinforcing that FND is a recognised and actively researched condition.
Trudy is a member of the FND society and she is listed on the FND Hope and FND Australia websites as an FND-Informed Registered Psychologist.
FND Clinics and Services in Australia
Access to clinicians with specific experience in FND can make a significant difference to assessment and treatment. While services and clinical knowledge remain somewhat limited in Australia, there are a small number of specialised programs that offer coordinated interdisciplinary care.
One of the primary centres in Australia is the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network based in Sydney, which includes a dedicated FND clinic. This service brings together clinicians from neurology, psychiatry, clinical psychology, and allied health disciplines to provide an integrated stepped-care model. The clinic focuses on comprehensive assessment, clear diagnostic formulation, and coordinated treatment planning. For many individuals, access to a service of this kind can assist in clarifying the diagnosis and establishing a structured pathway for symptoms treatment and management.
In addition to specialised clinics, some tertiary hospitals across Australia have developed interdisciplinary treatment programs for FND outpatient care. However, access and availability varies considerably depending on residential location compared to the hospital catchment area and defined patient eligibility criteria. Most individuals with FND receive treatment care through a combination of services coordinated with through their GP with FND-informed clinicians in neurology, psychology, and physiotherapy, rather than attending a single, integrated program. or this reason, it is often helpful to ensure treating clinicians are familiar with contemporary approaches to FND. Where specialised clinics are not accessible, a coordinated approach between local providers can still be effective when guided by a shared understanding of FND and the contribution to treatment of their respective discipline.
FND and Non-Epileptic Seizures
For individuals with FND who are experiencing non-epileptic seizures, sometimes referred to as dissociative seizures, more targeted FND resources and information may be helpful. The following article provides a clear and clinically grounded overview of non-epileptic seizures:
Reuber, M., & Brown, R. J. (2017). Understanding psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
This paper outlines how non-epileptic seizures are understood, how they differ from epilepsy, and how they are treated.
FND Clinical Guidelines and Professional Information
For individuals who would like a more detailed or technical understanding of FND, including General Practitioners and other healthcare providers, the following peer-reviewed publication provides a practical review of FND.
The article emphasises that an FND diagnosis should rest on the existence of clear positive evidence of FND, typically from a combination of physical signs or the nature of seizures, not solely from ruling out other possible disorders.
Treatment Approaches to FND
Information about treatment can sometimes be more difficult to locate, particularly articles that reflect current evidence rather than outdated assumptions. A useful overview of advances in understanding and treatment over the decade from 2011-2020 is provided in the following article:
A practical overview of current treatment approaches is provided by Gilmour et al. (2020), which emphasises that effective management of FND is typically based on a multidisciplinary and individualised approach. The authors highlight that treatment begins with a clear and consistent explanation of the FND diagnosis, followed by targeted interventions that may include physiotherapy for motor symptoms, psychological therapy to address maintaining factors such as attention, avoidance, and emotional processing, and medical or psychiatric support where indicated. Importantly, the review authors note treatment is most effective when it focuses on improving functioning rather than solely attempting to eliminate symptoms, and when it is delivered within a coordinated framework that supports consistency across providers. This approach reflects the current consensus that FND is best managed through an integrated model of care that addresses both neurological and psychological processes.
The Role of Psychological Therapy in Treating FND
Psychological therapy is often a central component of treatment for FND. Psychological therapy for FND typically involves the following:
- Developing a clearer understanding of how FND symptoms may arise
- Identifying psychological patterns that maintain FND symptoms
- Gradually restoring function through nervous system regulation, behavioural, and attentional retraining strategies
- Addressing underlying stress, anxiety, trauma, and other nervous system vulnerabilities such as neurodiversity
For some individuals, it may be helpful to read more about the role of psychology in the treatment of FND. The following link provides a useful overview while addressing common misconceptions and explaining the interaction between neurological and psychological processing: https://neurosymptoms.org/en/treatment/psychological-therapy/
FND Support and Community
In addition to clinical information, some individuals find it helpful to connect with others who have or are also experiencing FND. Peer support can provide validation and reduce the sense of isolation that often accompanies the condition. Organisations such as FND Hope offer access to support groups, both online and in some local areas. While peer support can be valuable, it is generally most helpful when combined with guidance from qualified health professionals, as peer experiences and advice varies widely.
There are also a number of FND support groups on social media sites such as facebook. While these can be helpful with support through sharing “what worked for me” style tips, some people experience feelings of hopelessness and depression when reading the comment sections in these groups. If you experience these feelings, please contact an crisis support line such as lifeline or book an appointment with a mental health professional as soon as possible.
Navigating FND Resources
One of the challenges in FND is not all available information is accurate or helpful. Some material online may reflect outdated research, emphasise a single cause, or present recovery in overly simplistic or pessimistic terms. When reviewing information, it can be useful to consider whether it:
- Reflects a biopsychosocial model of understanding FND
- Acknowledges the reality of your symptoms
- Is consistent with current clinical practice
- Avoids attributing blame or oversimplifying the condition
Focusing on a small number of reliable information sources and FND-informed and experienced clinicans, can often be more beneficial for recovery than attempting to read and synthesise an overwhelmingly large amount of potentially conflicting information.
Final Considerations
Access to accurate information is an important part of managing FND, however it is only one step in the journey toward recovery. Written resources can provide a foundation for general understanding of FND, but they are not substitutes for individualised assessment and treatment.
In clinical practice, I often encourage individuals to use resources such as those listed above to support their understanding, while also recognising that their own experience may not align exactly with any single description provided through research. The aim is not to find a perfect match, but to develop a framework that makes sense for the individual’s FND experience and supports positive movement toward recovery.
Where possible, it is helpful for information to be integrated within a broader treatment plan, rather than considered in isolation. This allows for questions to be addressed in context and for explanations to be tailored to the individual and their unique needs. However, the starting point for recovery is to find clinicians who believe FND symptoms are real and who provide treatment through an empathetic, collaborative, and open-minded approach. The underlying cause and combination of presenting symptoms for each individual with FND are unique, so too should be the treatment plans.
** If you’re searching for an FND-Informed Registered Psychologist, click the “Book An Appointment” button below. Appointments are available in person or via telehealth.