Patient story
Shared stories from people describing their experiences with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), including symptoms, diagnosis journeys, and day-to-day impact.
Maddie Aumann: From an FND Diagnosis to Maddie’s Law
FND Nope
Moderator
Maddie Aumann was diagnosed with FND before genetic testing identified a rare SCN9A disorder. Her mother, Christine Aumann, describes how the FND label continued to affect Maddie’s care even after that discovery, ultimately helping inspire Maddie’s Law.
It was Menieres
An ENT doctor suggested I had Menieres (an illness that attacks the balance nerve and the ear) in 2023. He wasn't sure as he said the disease is rare and my hearing loss was in the wrong frequency. He said there is no cure and I would have to wait for bur
It was the meds after all.
I was diagnosed with FND. Saw a neurologist and he said you must stop taking Keppra as it causes depression and anxiety and start on an alternative anti-seizure drug. I left with a step down plan and guess what, the depression and anxiety has gone.
Written Off with FND: The Hidden Dental Abscess That Changed Everything
Facebook Stories
Social media
After years of severe disability and an FND diagnosis, Sam’s family discovered a large, hidden abscess beneath a previously treated root-canal tooth. Within weeks of its removal and treatment, he began to regain his vision, mobility, clarity and independence. This is their story and a reminder that unexplained symptoms still deserve thorough investigation.
Purely cognitive symptoms, no weakness, seizures etc.
One day out of the blue I felt incredibly anxious and depressed. I can identify the time of day this happened. I couldn’t sleep but got sleeping tablets from my GP. The feelings continued for a few days but then I had a series of vacant seizures.
ANTIBIOTICS CURED ME OF FND !
mel
Convalescent
Personal account of complex neurological and systemic symptoms following a tick bite, with a clinical diagnosis of FND made after extensive negative or inconclusive investigations. The author proposes an infectious origin involving Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections and reports improvement following targeted antibiotic treatment.
Hoping one day we each will recover
Anonymous Parent
Parental caregiver
An 18-year-old developed severe neurological symptoms after a concussion, was diagnosed with FND after inconclusive testing, and later found to have tethered cord syndrome requiring surgery.
Living in France, stuck in the FND Trap
vi_toka
Sufferer
Miranda’s health collapsed almost overnight, progressing from difficulty walking to seizures, psychosis, and rapid neurological decline. Despite abnormal findings and worsening symptoms, she was quickly labelled with Functional Neurological Disorder, and further testing was repeatedly refused. Her story raises serious concerns about missed conditions like Autoimmune encephalitis and the risks of diagnostic overshadowing blocking proper care.
Personal Account of Misdiagnosed Neurological Condition by a Medical Student
Anon. Kazakh Med Student
Medical student
Email from a 21-year-old medical student in Kazakhstan sharing their detailed experience with neurological symptoms diagnosed as FND, highlighting objective signs of an organic lesion, diagnostic history, and concerns about misdiagnosis.
Who am I? Why am I doing this?
Christoff
Spousal caregiver
For the past seven years, my wife’s health has steadily declined, which forced me into research mode - diving deep into various medical fields through countless hours of studying medical journals, textbooks, clinical resources, and literature, as we were passed from specialist to specialist.
