Functional neurological disorder affects between 10,000 and 12,000 people across Scotland, according to reporting by STV News, though patients and advocates argue the true total is likely higher due to persistent diagnostic delays. The condition disrupts how the brain sends and receives signals, impacting body movement and physical function without causing structural damage to brain tissue.
Diagnostic Delays Leave Patients Waiting Years for Answers
Many individuals spend years searching for a diagnosis before identifying functional neurological disorder. Pamela Carmichael noticed initial symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic when she began regularly tripping. Doctors initially suspected motor neurone disease before changing her diagnosis four or five years later. She experiences non-epileptic seizures, involuntary movements, and tics that require her husband’s assistance. “I thought I was the only person living with FND,” Carmichael told STV News, noting that the isolation of the condition is compounded by a widespread lack of public awareness.
Kelli Meikle faced a similar diagnostic journey after waking up with back pain and left-sided numbness two years ago. A former business professional who retrained in law, Meikle lost control of her limbs and experienced speech difficulties during a period that involved numerous hospital appointments and A&E visits. A neurologist subsequently told her she likely had motor neurone disease, and she currently awaits further treatment updates. The condition has forced her to abandon activities like running and climbing munros.
Stigma and Social Misunderstanding Compound Patient Isolation
Patients with the condition frequently encounter skepticism from the public and acquaintances. Carmichael and Meikle both participate in the Glasgow FND support group, where members report being accused of faking their symptoms because their physical abilities fluctuate day by day. “Our software is completely gone,” Meikle told STV News. “You’re telling yourself to walk, but you can’t. We have no control over it.” Carmichael points out that public confusion arises when patients require a wheelchair on certain days while appearing completely mobile on others.
Clinical Trials and Rehabilitation Pathways Offer New Approaches
Medical understanding of the disorder has expanded significantly over the past three decades. Jon Stone, an NHS consultant neurologist and honorary professor of neurology who has studied FND since the late 1990s, told STV News that clinical research across the UK is advancing. Specialists utilize physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and psychological therapy to help patients retrain their brains. A recommended FND pathway now exists to guide health boards on assessment and treatment, though Stone emphasizes that recovery remains challenging and requires long-term follow-up care.
Government Framework Directs Funding to Support Projects
Official support mechanisms in Scotland operate through specific healthcare frameworks. A Scottish Government spokesperson told STV News that the administration provided £148,863 through its Neurological Care and Support Framework 2020-25 to fund projects aimed at improving information and support for FND patients. The Centre for Sustainable Delivery published a national pathway for the condition in 2024 to assist clinical staff with diagnosis, management, and evidence-based treatment access.
Frequently Asked Questions About Functional Neurological Disorder
What are the primary physical symptoms of FND?
Patients commonly experience tremors, muscle spasms, mobility difficulties, and non-epileptic seizures. These physical disruptions occur despite brain scans and medical tests showing no structural damage.
How does the national pathway assist healthcare providers?
Published in 2024 by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, the national pathway supports clinical staff in diagnosing and managing the condition more effectively. It also aims to improve patient access to evidence-based treatments across Scottish health boards.
What financial support has been allocated for FND in Scotland?
The Scottish Government allocated £148,863 through its Neurological Care and Support Framework 2020-25 to projects dedicated to improving information and support resources for individuals with the condition.
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