Andy
Retired committee member
While this has previously been discussed here, I think it's a good idea to have this as a thread of it's own, given it makes clear the FND=conversion disorder thinking.
Open access, https://neuro.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.19090204Functional neurological disorder (FND), also known as conversion disorder, constitutes individuals with neurological symptoms precipitated and/or perpetuated by maladaptive cognitive, affective, behavioral, psychological, and perceptual processes. As such, FND is a core neuropsychiatric disorder that exists at the intersection of the mind and brain. Furthermore, FND challenges the artificial divide between physical and mental health and can benefit greatly from an interdisciplinary approach across the clinical neurosciences (2, 3). A figurative conceptualization of this interdisciplinary approach to FND, as discussed in this special issue of the Journal, is featured on the cover of this issue.
FND is among the most common conditions encountered by neurologists and neuropsychiatrists today (4) and is often misidentified as “medical mysteries” in human interest stories (5). Importantly, the neuropsychiatric perspective that incorporates biopsychosocial aspects at the individual level, including consideration of community and spiritual aspects when relevant (3), is key for treatment and research for this complex condition.
For this special issue of the Journal, an international group of guest coeditors and authors organized to detail the depth and breadth of advancement in the field of FND, while also identifying areas of need. Several articles advance our understanding of the phenomenology of FND, including the development of a conceptual model for acute functional paralysis (6) (a common stroke mimic) and the intersection of Parkinson’s disease and functional movement disorders (7). Other articles identify predisposing vulnerabilities and perpetuating factors for FND (8) and characterize roles for locus of control (frame of reference) (9), impaired action inhibition (10), and altered emotional reactivity (11) among persons with FND. A new questionnaire for the concurrent assessment of adverse life events, negative emotions, and attachment styles among individuals with FND across the lifespan is also introduced (12). Additionally, another article integrates psychological and neurobiological models in the service of bridging the gap between the historical conversion model and modern systems-level neuroscience insights into FND (13).