disorder
Functional neurological disorders — a newer, broader term that includes what some people call conversion disorders — describes symptoms of the nervous system that cannot be explained by neurological diseases or other medical conditions. However, the symptoms are real and cause significant dysfunction or functional problems. Signs and symptoms vary, depending on the type of neurological disorder, and may include certain patterns. Certainly, these disorders affect your movement or your senses, such as the ability to walk, swallow, see, or hear. Symptoms may vary in severity and may come and go or persist. However, you cannot produce or control your symptoms.
The cause of neurological functional disorders is not known. Your condition may be triggered by neurological disorders or the body''s reaction to stress or emotional or physical trauma, but this is not always the case. Functional neurological disorders are related to how the brain functions, as well as damage to brain structures (such as damage from stroke, multiple sclerosis, infection or injury).
Early diagnosis and treatment, especially education about the condition, may help recovery.
symptoms
Symptoms of functional neurological symptoms may vary depending on the type of functional neurological disorder, and are significant enough to cause weakness and warrant medical evaluation. Symptoms can affect body movement and function and the senses.
Signs and symptoms that affect body movement and function may include
Weakness or paralysis
Abnormal movement, such as tremor or difficulty walking
Loss of balance
Difficulty swallowing or a feeling of a "lump in the throat"
Tremors and apparent loss of consciousness (non-epileptic seizures)
bout of unresponsiveness
Signs and symptoms that usually affect sensory abilities include
numbness or loss of sense of touch
Speech problems, such as an inability to speak or slurred speech
Vision problems, such as double vision or blindness
Hearing problems or deafness
When do you see a doctor?
Seek medical attention for the above signs and symptoms. If the underlying cause is a neurological disease or other medical condition, prompt diagnosis and treatment may be important. If the diagnosis is a functional neurological disorder, treatment may improve symptoms and help prevent future problems.
the reasons
The exact cause of functional neurological disorders is not known. Theories about what happens in the brain that triggers symptoms are complex, and involve multiple mechanisms that differ depending on the type of functional neurological disorder.
Essentially, parts of the brain that control muscle function and feeling may be involved, although no disease or malformation is present.
Symptoms of functional neurological disorders may appear suddenly after a stressful event or physical or emotional trauma. Other triggers may include changes or disturbances in how the brain functions at the structural, metabolic, and cellular levels. But the triggers for symptoms can''t always be identified.
risk factors
Factors that may increase the risk of functional neurological disorders include
Having a neurological disease or disorder, such as epilepsy, migraines, or a movement disorder
Significant stress, nervous or physical shock soon
Having a mental illness condition, such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, schizoaffective disorder, or certain personality disorders.
Having a family member with a functional neurological disorder
Possibly, a history of physical or sexual abuse or neglect in childhood
Women are more likely than men to have functional neurological disorders.
complications
Some symptoms of functional neurological disorders, especially if left untreated, can lead to significant disability and a reduced quality of life, similar to those caused by medical conditions or diseases.
