Overview of FND Symptoms
The symptoms of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can be varied and involve several systems of the body. Because FND is a "problem with the software" rather than the hardware, symptoms can often change in severity depending on focus, movement, or stress.
Important Recognition
Common Categories
To help navigate the complexity, we categorize FND symptoms into several primary groups. Click on a category to learn more about specific manifestations and diagnostic signs.
Motor Symptoms
Tremors, weakness, gait problems, and limb paralysis.
Sensory Symptoms
Numbness, tingling, and changes in vision or hearing.
Cognitive Issues
Brain fog, memory challenges, and word-finding difficulties.
Seizures (PNES)
Dissociative seizures that look like epilepsy but have different causes.
Speech & Swallow
Stuttering, loss of voice (aphonia), or difficulty swallowing.
Pain & Fatigue
Chronic widespread pain and overwhelming exhaustion.
Symptom Fluctuation
One of the hallmarks of FND is that symptoms can fluctuate. They may be worse during a medical exam but disappear when the patient is distracted. This is not evidence of faking; it is a key positive sign of FND, as structural damage (like a stroke) would not disappear with distraction.