FND - When to Inform your Employer?

[Sparkle44]

Hi I am wondering if it is necessary to tell your employer about a diagnosis of FND; what is the right time; has anyone been discriminated against, or does anyone have any accounts of great support. Thanks in advance!

[Rambo51]

I am in the same situationOne doctor stated that I don't need to say anything while another doctor told my occupational therapist that if I do have a sezuire in the workplace that it is not a medical emergency and there is no need to panic it is not epilepcy

[Sparkle44 in reply to Rambo51]

Hi Rambo, what are your thoughts? Do you think the seizures are a medical emergency. I think all seizures should be taken seriously! This is one of the issues with FND medical professionals act like yes it’s a legitimate physical health issue as it impacts on the body / brain. However, there is an underlying tone of its psychological & therefore symptoms are minimised. This can leave the person exhibiting symptoms feeling very vulnerable as the quality of the response / care is largely subjective!! I don’t suffer with seizures but if I did I think I would let someone in the workplace know so they could support me if needed. Best wishes!

[Rambo51 in reply to Sparkle44]

Epileptic sezuires occur at anytime and any situation and if those sezuires are not under control then you cannot drive a care or operate machinery however in New Zealand there is no law with fnd that you cannot drive as unlike epilepsy fnd is there to protect you.I have had over 500 sezuires and had no injury as a result

[Sparkle44 in reply to Rambo51]

Wow! That sounds a lot! Why have they diagnosed you with FND when you are having actual seizures?? Is it because they can’t find the cause?

[Rambo51 in reply to Sparkle44]

Fnd are classed as non epileptic sezuires and that is my diagnosis I spoke to my manager this morning that if I have a sezuire there is no need for anyone to panic and don't call for medical attention.

Fnd are a result of something psychological and in my case it is trauma

Hope that helps

[Sparkle44 in reply to Rambo51]

Sorry to hear about the trauma! You are very brave and I wish you all the best! Hopefully at some point in our future the FND clinic will find something that really helps with all of our individual symptoms 🙏🏽

[frazzledmum]

Hi my daughter has not declared. She niw knows what her triggers are and makes her own adjustments. Not sure if this helps you.

[Sparkle44 in reply to frazzledmum]

Thanks for letting me know. I feel like I have made all the required adjustments & just don’t want them to discriminate or end my job 🙈

[WesleyBuck]

I informed my employer only to explain all of the day off requests for dr visits a and missing 1-2 days per week as sick days. They have been very accommodating so far but I’m burning through my paid days off quickly. Eventually I’ll have to pursue short term disability although not sure how that will work since I don’t necessarily need a set number of days of during a certain period of time, but there are some days I just can’t do the work either due to brain fog, pain, etc.

[Sparkle44]

Hiya Wesley,

Thanks for your response. It makes sense to claim the disability PIP. I am on my own with a mortgage so have to keep going as long as possible. It’s defo food for thought though! It’s so important to be able to rest!!