Conversion DisorderSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Conversion Disorder
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a condition in which there is a problem with how the brain receives and sends information to one or more parts of the body. FND is not caused by a disease or injury. For reasons not understood, the nervous (neurological) system does not work properly.
FND symptoms may include weakness and paralysis of the limbs, seizures, tremors and jerks, and other nervous system symptoms.
Conversion disorder; Functional neurological symptom disorder
FND has no known cause. However, stress or a mental or physical trauma can trigger FND. It can also occur with no known trigger.
Certain factors may make a person more susceptible to FND:
- Having another neurological condition
- Having a mental health condition
- Chronic pain or fatigue
- Ongoing life stress
- Childhood abuse, neglect, or trauma
FND is uncommon in children under age 10. Before age 50, it is more likely to occur in women. After age 50 it affects both men and women equally.
While the cause of FND is unclear, this condition and its symptoms are real. It causes serious distress and cannot be turned on and off at will.
FND can cause a variety of symptoms that affect body movement, senses, and thinking:
- Vision problems (double vision or blindness)
- Speech problems (slurred speech or loss of speech)
- Numbness or loss of sensation
- Hearing problems
- Memory problems
- Trouble concentrating
- Pain
- Fatigue
- Weakness or paralysis
- Tremors, spasms, jerkiness, tics
- Involuntary repetitive movements
- Difficulty walking
- Loss of balance
- Difficulty swallowing
- Seizures or episodes of shaking and loss of consciousness (not caused by epilepsy)
Treatment for FND will depend on what symptoms you experience. You may work with different providers, including:
- Neurologists
- Mental health professionals
- Primary care providers
- Speech, physical, or occupational therapists
Treatments may include:
- Talk therapy
- Cognitive behavior therapy to help alter thought patterns, emotions, behaviors and mood
- Relaxation and mindfulness exercises to manage stress
- Physical, speech, and occupational therapy
- Other treatments as necessary
It can also help to learn about FND and understand that your symptoms are real, even without a medical cause. Knowing that there is no serious medical cause may help you feel less anxious and more able to cope.
Aurora Neuroscience Innovation
Taylor Finseth is a Neurologist practicing medicine in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Dr. Finseth is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Conversion Disorder. He is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Camptocormism, Parkinson's Disease, Movement Disorders, and Conversion Disorder. Dr. Finseth is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry & Neurology.
Reading Hospital Neurology Suite 3020
. Dr. Khurana is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Conversion Disorder. She is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Seizures, Partial Familial Epilepsy, Memory Loss, and Partial Seizure. Dr. Khurana is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology.
Reading Hospital Neurology Suite 3020
. Dr. Leahy is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Conversion Disorder. He is also highly rated in 24 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Stroke, Seizures, Epilepsy, and Vertebral Artery Dissection. Dr. Leahy is board certified in American Board Of Psychiatry And Neurology.
More information and support for people with FND and their families can be found at:
- FND Hope - fndhope.org/what-we-do/support-blogs-groups/
- National Organization for Rare Disorders - rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/fnd/#program-resources
Symptoms usually last for days to weeks and may suddenly go away while others may last for years. The symptoms are usually not life threatening, but complications can be debilitating.
See your provider or mental health professional if you or someone you know has symptoms of FND.
Summary: Narcolepsy (NRL) is a rare chronic central nervous system dysfunction disease, which is more common in children and adolescents, and less common in adults. Its typical clinical features include excessive daytime sleep, paroxysmal cataplexy, sleep paralysis and sleep hallucination. In addition to the above typical manifestations, patients with narcolepsy can also manifest as hyperappetite, weight g...
Summary: The goal of this observational study is to learn about functional neurological disorders in patients with common non-functional movement disorders (functional overlay). The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the frequency of functional neurological disorders in patients with non-functional movement disorders (functional overlay)? * What are the characteristics of functional neurologic...
Published Date: October 20, 2024
Published By: Fred K. Berger, MD, addiction and forensic psychiatrist, Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
American Psychiatric Association. Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association Publishing; 2022.
Rodriguez AEM, Kontos N, Beach SR, Smith FA, Greenberg DB. Somatic symptom disorders. In: Stern TA, Wilens TE, Fava M, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 24.