Awareness Day for Little Known Neurological Condition That Affects Thousands

Across the UK, March 25 2017 is going to be a special day for one group of people. Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) encompasses a diverse range of symptoms including functional limb weakness and movement disorders, functional and dissociative attacks (non-epileptic), sensory problems, cognitive problems, visual and speech symptoms.

Whilst the symptoms may appear similar to neurological diseases including those of Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s and Epilepsy, and are associated with similar levels of disability and distress, they are not caused by structural disease of the nervous system. Instead, it is a problem with how the nervous system is functioning. The condition affects men, women and children of all ages and is commonly seen in neurology clinics.

However, there is very little awareness amongst the medical profession as a whole and even less amongst the general public. The awareness day will make a big difference.

On the day, there will be two Facebook Live interviews with top specialist neurologists Dr Jon Stone who is based at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh (at 11 am) and Professor Mark Edwards who is based at St George’s Hospital in London (at 2pm) and lots of activity across social media and beyond.

The day is being organised by FND Action, the first charity to be founded in the UK to support people diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorders. It is being supported by other organisations such as FND Dimensions, a charity that facilitates meet ups for people with FND, some of which will be taking place in different venues on and around the day

Kim Hearne, CEO of FND Action said: “We are very excited about the day. Thousands of people across the UK are affected by the condition but there is so little awareness. We are looking forward to changing that.”

To find out how you can get involved, visit our website.