International FND Awareness Day 2018
On April 13, 2018, FND Hope UK will participate in the 6th annual International FND Awareness Day to raise awareness and funding for Functional Neurological Disease (FND).
FND is a condition that affects neurological, functional and motor processes. Seizures, migraines and tremors; the inability to talk; paralysis and stroke-like symptoms are just some of the realities FND patients face daily. FND is an illness that is not yet fully understood, nor are the causes.
“Medical professionals often have little understanding of the disorder and do not understand that this is a common, severe disorder that is not under the patient’s control,” Dr Tim Nicholson of the Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience in London.
FND Hope UK is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting FND patients. FND Hope UK works with the medical community through a collaborative approach, changing how the world understands and defines functional symptoms. Their mission is to promote awareness, support affected individuals, and advance research. In doing this, they hope to empower patients to better health.
Bridget Mildon, President/Founder of FND Hope US/FND Hope UK, says, “Research is vital if we are going to understand how to effectively treat FND. True answers can only come from studying the brain scientifically.”
FND is a condition in which patients experience a broad range of neurological symptoms, such as movement disorders and sensory issues. Essentially, there is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system sending and/or receiving signals from the body rather than structural disease. These symptoms appear similar to disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s and epilepsy, and can be equally debilitating and distressing. Functional symptoms are genuine but potentially reversible, estimated to affect up to ? of neurology patients. This condition is misunderstood and therefore highly stigmatised, which sets up difficulties for patients to access effective treatment.
Learning Zones
The Learning Zones are an educational resource for healthcare professionals that provide medical information on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and burden of disease, as well as diagnostic techniques and treatment regimens.
4 mins