Conversion Disorder — Mind versus Body: A Review, 2015, Ali et al

[Hutan]

FND is mainly referred to as a 'software' issue as if it's too complex for anyone other than the researchers to understand. Yet, in this paper, it has been clearly explained as symptoms resulting from psychological conflict.

This is a 2015 paper. I think there has been some evolution on the thinking about whether a history of emotional trauma is necessary, or even if psychological conflict and repression of feelings is necessary. I think that evolution was necessary because studies just did not support those criteria in all of the people with functional disorder [add your favourite synonym] labels.

As to where that then leaves the functional disorder concept now, well, of course it's a mess. Basically it's the catch all for when doctors can't justify another label.

 

[livinglighter]

This is a 2015 paper. I think there has been some evolution on the thinking about whether a history of emotional trauma is necessary, or even if psychological conflict and repression of feelings is necessary. I think that evolution was necessary because studies just did not support those criteria in all of the people with functional disorder [add your favourite synonym] labels.

As to where that then leaves the functional disorder concept now, well, of course it's a mess. Basically it's the catch all for when doctors can't justify another label.

Despite this evolution, in many cases, the explanation for FND tends to be difficulty coping with emotions. Perhaps there is a move away from overreliance on past events as triggers to include what could be perceived as current ones, such as someone not being able to cope with the loss of a highly-regarded profession if they become employed doing something less skilled - which I read someone was accused of. But to me, it seems, that explanations for FND still mainly have undertones of ideas surrounding repressed feelings and unconscious thoughts.

What is Functional Neurological Disorder?
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is due to a problem with the functioning of the nervous system in a structurally normal brain. FND can be diagnosed and recognised by clinical features. The reasons people develop FND are varied. It tends to happen when the brain has difficulty coping with thoughts, memories, emotions, and sensations. The brain can become overwhelmed, and therefore stop functioning normally. It can be associated with past trauma and loss, or ongoing stress, but this is not always apparent. It tends to be more common in resilient people who have a tendency to “just get on with things”. Life’s copers, they often do not communicate their difficulties to others (or themselves). Instead, in FND, it is as if the body does the ‘talking’. People with functional symptoms are not “faking it”. They cannot consciously produce, or stop, symptoms. Think of blushing - another physical manifestation of an emotion - or a churning stomach before an interview. You cannot turn that off or on at will!

https://www.thewaltoncentre.nhs.uk/...logical-disorder-psychotherapy-service/483843

 

[Hutan]

Despite this evolution, in many cases, the explanation for FND tends to be difficulty coping with emotions. Perhaps there is a move away from overreliance on past events as triggers to include what could be perceived as current ones, such as someone not being able to cope with the loss of a highly-regarded profession if they become employed doing something less skilled - which I read someone was accused of. But to me, it seems, that explanations for FND still mainly have undertones of ideas surrounding repressed feelings and unconscious thoughts.

Oh, for sure, they have their cake, eat it too, and still manage to package it up and present it as a health food that's a gift to mankind...

It can be both life's stoics who can't complain even to themselves who are most at risk while at the same time it's the attention-seeker who is making a big deal about normal sensations that everyone experiences. It's people who are resilient and get on with things while lacking in self-efficacy. People who pay too much attention to their body while lacking in interoception. The contradictions are as frequent as the inane diagrams.

 

[Sean]

FND is just whatever its advocates want it to be at any given moment.

Nothing more, nothing less.