Is FND a mental health illness? I have just been diagnosed after 2 years of tests.

[Andmark]

Mental Health illness!!!

[salfnd]

Hi Andmark, I would say No its not, even though doctors treat us like we have a Mental illness, You can get depression or Anxiety along side it, but who wouldnt suffering with Fnd 24/7, xx

[Andmark in reply to salfnd]

Thanks

[malalatete]

No.

[RobertWT]

Hi Andmark,

Excellent question.

Absolutely not. (My excellent answer!) So that you appreciate my 'background', I have suffered with bipolar disorder for most of my life. For 50+ years it hasn't held me back. (OK once or twice I got sacked, a few, most, acquaintances or "friends" suddenly were no longer being there etc etc) but FND for the last 18 months has been quite different. I find that you do get sympathy (usually found only in the dictionary between sh*t and syphylis) and there is a degree of understanding, particularly if you are in a wheelchair. There's always the risk of depression, but that could happen to anyone. Not surprising if the onset was sudden and debilitating.

There the similarity stops.

FND is simply (if I have understood it) a disconnect between what the brain (your conscious wish) says you want to do and the CNS (body) which says bu**er that, I'm doing my own thing.

My way of coping is to be aggressively not-disabled, mentally or physically. Yes, of course, I get angry, frustrated, wounded (falls and so on). I am human and I have complete transparency of thought. BUT I AM NOT MENTALLY ILL BY VIRTUE SOLELY OF MY FND.

The 'Mental illness' tag can be used as a two edged sword. It is actually GOOD if it leads to being treated to be treated by a sympatico medic (shrink, even - they actually do exist, although they seem to be in short supply!) who appreciated the nuances of the FND/MH condition. Remember, I have known both. On the other hand, it is BAD to be thought of as the 'nutter' in the corner, who cannot stand, tie his own shoelaces, falls and has terror attacks in the shower, because of the abject terror of slipping on a soapy floor. Tell me about it.

My cognitive functions have not been affected by my FND. I have my terrors and snakes in the shadows. I have even found myself in the 'does he take sugar' frame. Grrrrr!

FND is not a mental illness. Yes, there are mental effects, but the illness is a physical manifestaton of a mind-body dysfunction/disconnect.

Do not even start to think of yourself as mentally ill. DO NOT - IT WON'T HELP YOU MOVE FORWARDS! You are functionally (what you are doing or trying to do 24/7) hampered and frustrated, Neurological (because of something physical in your brain, which is, after all, just another organ in the body, albeit rather important) and this is a Disorder (or 'you haven't got your ducks in a row!' YET!)

If a doctor tries to insult your intelligence and categorises you as mentally ill, he does not understand neurology, nor FND. This is a common thing. I have had misdiagnoses by an eminent Consultant Neurologist in Ireland, who only took up the diagnosis of FND after another neurologist recognised it.

There are so many misconceptions about FND. Being a mental illness is one of them.

So? Hope is out there. FNDHope is here. Tell and share. Take confidence and succour from the experiences of others. Keep going. Keep strong. Be well.

I am not 'going' without a fight. I was born and am proudly Welsh (probably accounts for the big chip on my shoulder) but, yma o hyd (Welsh for 'we're still here'). I intend to be 'still here'for a long time.

But mental illness? Nah!

Best regards.

Robert WT

[HiliH in reply to RobertWT]

'Functionally Hampered and Frustrated' … spot on!

[Andmark]

Robert thanks for your reply, it is a Professor at LV that says as I have a diagnosis of FND and a clause in my policy for mental illness as I suffer from anxiety they are refusing to pay my claim.

Andy

[Andmark]

Thanks Andy

[pickleweed]

I would say that FND is a "mental disorder" but not a mental health illness. Mental health professionals to do have a much better track record in treating FND compared to placebo treatments.

[sykgirl]

I have never had any form of mental health issue. My FND was triggered by a virus (my immune system was already weakened by glandular fever, post viral fatigue syndrome, and then chronic fatigue syndrome). As hard as they have tried (some have really tried!) no doctor has ever been able to diagnose me with anxiety, depression, trauma or any other mental illness or disorder. My consultant is very clear that I have a physical illness! Everyone with FND is different and has a different story to tell, some of which include mental health issues, but your insurance company can't say all people have such issues because it is simply not true!

Good luck with it all!