Unconfirmed Diagnosis
Cases where FND was suspected or diagnosed but the available evidence does not establish whether the functional interpretation was correct, mistaken, or coexisting with another condition. Includes unresolved diagnostic questions; does not imply confirmed
Another case of Lyme disease attributed to FND, due to negative Lyme testing
mel
Convalescent
Maja Bagdziun shares her story with LDUK, after being given “a confusing FND label” because she tested negative for Lyme infection.
Diagnosed With FND, Died From a Pulmonary Embolism: The Questions Allison Lawlor's Story Raises
FND Nope
Moderator
Allison Lawlor lived with severe neurological symptoms, received an FND diagnosis and later died from a pulmonary embolism. Her story raises important questions about diagnostic uncertainty, thromboembolic risk and why patients owe no loyalty to a diagnosis.
Diagnosed With FND. It Was Buerger's Disease. She Lost Her Leg
FND Nope
Moderator
Danielle Thomas reported numbness, worsening walking difficulties and legs that felt like they were dying. Doctors diagnosed FND. Months later, vascular investigations revealed blocked arteries, gangrene and Buerger's disease. She eventually underwent a below-knee amputation.
Diagnosed With FND After Losing Her Daughter. Years Later, Elly Had 15 Brain Lesions and Multiple Sclerosis
FND Nope
Moderator
Elly Littlejohn was diagnosed with FND after losing her daughter to a drunk driver, despite abnormal MRI findings. Years of worsening symptoms, additional brain lesions and abnormal spinal fluid results eventually led to an MS diagnosis. Her story raises serious questions about diagnostic anchoring, trauma-based assumptions and delayed treatment.
When a 50-Minute Seizure Becomes “Textbook FND”: Diagnostic Certainty Without Evidence
Quackademic
A Doctor of Physical Therapy claims a 50-minute seizure can only be functional. But prolonged epileptic seizures are medically documented. This raises serious questions about professional authority, diagnostic overreach, positive signs, and the dangers of diagnosing patients on social media.
Havana Syndrome: When an Unexplained Neurological Illness Becomes FND
FND Nope
Moderator
NIH researchers classified 28% of Havana syndrome patients as having FND, despite unresolved questions about the origins of their symptoms, conflicting earlier research and warnings that different conditions may have been grouped together. Does identifying a functional phenotype actually explain what happened?
Three Seizures, Three Accents, One FND Diagnosis: What Was Actually Ruled Out?
FND Nope
Moderator
A musician developed changing accents after reported seizures, a head injury and cardiac arrest. Doctors diagnosed FND. But what neurological explanations were investigated, and what evidence supports the diagnosis?
94.4% of Ehlers–Danlos Patients Reported Psychiatric Labelling or Dismissal. Two-Thirds Reported Conversion Disorder
FND Nope
Moderator
A 2025 study of 429 patients with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome found that 94.4% reported psychiatric labelling or accusations of fabrication, while 66.7% reported a previous conversion disorder diagnosis. The findings raise serious questions about diagnostic dismissal, medical credibility and missed physical illness.
When a Genetic Neurological Disorder Was Considered Functional: The FLVCR1 Case
FND Nope
Moderator
A woman with progressive neurological symptoms and documented FLVCR1 variants repeatedly had her symptoms considered functional. A 2026 case report exposes a failure to connect neurological findings with an existing genetic disorder.
