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Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition where individuals experience neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by traditional neurological diseases. In teenagers, this can present a unique set of challenges, as adolescence is already a period of significant emotional, psychological, and physical change. FND symptoms might include seizures, paralysis, speech difficulties, movement problems, and sensory disturbances, all occurring without an identifiable structural cause in the brain. Although the symptoms are very real and can be deeply distressing, they stem from a problem with the functioning of the nervous system rather than damage to the nervous system itself.
The development of FND in teenagers often involves a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors. Stress, trauma, bullying, academic pressures, and family difficulties are known to contribute to the onset or exacerbation of the condition. For many adolescents, FND can feel confusing and frightening, particularly as they may not initially understand why they are experiencing such disabling symptoms when medical tests return normal results. The absence of clear answers can lead to deeper feelings of anxiety, isolation, and frustration both for the young person and their family.
FND is sometimes misunderstood, and there can be a damaging stigma around the condition due to misconceptions that it is “all in the head” or being faked. In reality, teenagers with FND are experiencing very real and involuntary symptoms that can severely impact their daily lives. Raising awareness and providing education about FND are crucial steps in ensuring that youth are believed, understood, and supported as they navigate their diagnosis and treatment.
An important part of understanding FND in adolescents is recognising that early support can make a significant difference. When teenagers, their families, teachers, and healthcare providers have access to accurate information and compassionate care, outcomes improve. Encouraging open conversations, validating the teenager’s experiences, and building a collaborative approach to management are vital components in helping the young person feel empowered and hopeful about their future.
Recognising signs and symptoms of FND
Recognising the signs and symptoms of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in teenagers can be challenging, as the presentation often overlaps with other medical, neurological, and psychological conditions. Symptoms can affect movement, sensation, cognition, and speech. Some young people might experience non-epileptic seizures, fainting episodes, weakness or paralysis of limbs, tremors, and problems with walking or balance. Others may present with functional speech difficulties, such as sudden inability to speak clearly or complete muteness, despite normal neurological examinations.
In addition to physical symptoms, adolescents with FND often report sensory disturbances, such as numbness, tingling, or pain without a clear physical cause. Cognitive symptoms—sometimes referred to as “brain fog”—can interfere with memory, concentration, and the ability to think clearly. These difficulties can profoundly impact their education and social interactions, making early recognition and appropriate support essential to maintaining their wellbeing and academic engagement.
Emotional changes are also common. Teenagers with FND may appear withdrawn, anxious, or depressed. There can be a noticeable decline in academic performance, changes in friendship groups, avoidance of previously enjoyed activities, or increased visits to medical services without clear diagnoses. Families might notice their child expressing frustration, confusion, or distress about symptoms that seem to come and go unpredictably, often worsened by stress or fatigue.
Importantly, symptoms of FND are not consciously produced. Adolescents are not faking or exaggerating; they are experiencing genuine and involuntary difficulties. Misunderstanding this fact can lead to a lack of empathy and even accusations of attention-seeking behaviour, which only intensify the young person’s distress. Therefore, it is vital for families, educators, and healthcare providers to approach these symptoms with compassion and to work towards a collaborative approach to diagnosis and care.
Given the wide range of possible symptoms and the emotional toll they can take, a thorough assessment by a medical professional familiar with FND is crucial. A clear and sensitive explanation of the diagnosis can reduce fear and confusion, making the young person and their family feel more secure. Education about the condition should be an ongoing process, empowering teenagers with knowledge about what is happening in their bodies and reassuring them that recovery is possible with the right support and interventions.
How FND affects teenagers’ daily lives
Living with FND can dramatically alter a teenager’s daily routine, impacting almost every aspect of life. Educational challenges are among the most immediate and profound. Adolescents with FND may find it difficult to attend school regularly due to unpredictable symptoms like functional seizures, fatigue, or mobility issues. Even when they are present, cognitive symptoms such as difficulties with concentration, memory lapses, and “brain fog” can make learning and completing assignments overwhelming. This can lead to plummeting academic performance, frustration, and feelings of failure, despite the teenager’s desire and effort to succeed. Without understanding and appropriate support from school staff, the situation can escalate, contributing to further mental stress.
Social life, a critical component of adolescent development, is often heavily affected as well. Teenagers with FND may withdraw from friends or feel isolated because of the unpredictability of their symptoms. Activities they once enjoyed, such as sports, music, or social outings, might become challenging or impossible. Fear of having a seizure or collapsing in public may discourage them from participating in social events altogether. This social isolation can, unfortunately, reinforce feelings of difference and lead to anxiety or depression, creating a vicious cycle that is difficult to break without appropriate interventions and emotional support.
Family dynamics also often shift following a diagnosis of FND. Parents and siblings may struggle with feelings of helplessness, confusion, or frustration, particularly if they lack education about the disorder. The teenager’s increased need for care, medical appointments, and emotional reassurance can place significant strain on family members, sometimes leading to tensions or feelings of neglect among siblings. In some cases, caregivers might inadvertently reinforce symptoms through overprotection or heightened anxiety, underscoring the need for families to receive guidance on how best to provide balanced, empowering support.
Practical daily activities, such as self-care, attending appointments, and undertaking hobbies, can become daunting tasks for adolescents living with FND. Some may require mobility aids or assistance from carers at times. The inconsistency of symptoms can make it difficult to plan ahead, leading to missed opportunities and growing frustration. This unpredictability can particularly hinder the development of independence that is vital during the teenage years, making careful, adaptable goal-setting an important element of any support plan.
Emotional wellbeing often suffers as teenagers grapple with the reality of living with a misunderstood and fluctuating condition. The stigma surrounding FND can lead them to feel doubted or invalidated by friends, teachers, or even healthcare providers. Lack of visible indicators of illness can intensify this issue, as many symptoms are not immediately apparent to observers. Educating not just the young person but also their peers and wider community is essential in creating a more empathetic and supportive environment, allowing adolescents with FND to maintain their sense of identity, purpose, and belonging.
Approaches to treatment and support
Effective treatment and support for adolescents with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) require a multidisciplinary and individualised approach. Early intervention is key to promoting recovery and helping teenagers regain confidence in their ability to manage symptoms. A combination of medical, psychological, educational, and social support services is often needed to address the complex and interconnected needs of each young person.
One of the cornerstones of treatment is physiotherapy, specifically tailored to FND. Specialized physiotherapists work with teenagers to rebuild movements, improve mobility, and gradually decrease symptom severity. Unlike traditional physical rehabilitation, physiotherapy for FND focuses on retraining normal movement patterns rather than strengthening damaged muscles or healing injuries. Therapists guide youth in regaining control over their body in a supportive, non-judgemental environment, helping to rebuild self-efficacy and trust in their physical abilities.
Psychological therapies play a crucial role in the management of FND. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is often employed to help adolescents understand the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and symptoms. Therapy provides them with coping strategies to manage anxiety, stress, and other emotional triggers that may exacerbate their condition. Other approaches, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) or trauma-informed therapy, may also be beneficial depending on the individual’s history and needs. Importantly, psychological support is not offered because symptoms are “imagined”, but because emotional wellness is deeply intertwined with neurological functioning.
Education is another essential aspect of supporting teenagers with FND. Providing clear, age-appropriate information about the disorder empowers young people to understand their experiences and actively participate in their recovery journey. Similarly, educating families, schools, and communities fosters a more understanding and supportive environment, reducing stigma and facilitating better cooperation. Schools, in particular, need to be involved in creating flexible academic plans that accommodate the teenager’s fluctuating symptoms while promoting continued engagement with learning and peers.
Family involvement is vital throughout treatment. Families often experience their own emotional responses to a diagnosis of FND, including guilt, fear, or helplessness. Offering family-centred education and support helps parents and siblings feel more capable of providing consistent, constructive encouragement. Family therapy sessions, support groups, or educational workshops can equip carers with the tools to avoid inadvertently reinforcing unhelpful behaviours while still offering compassion and validation.
In some cases, interventions such as occupational therapy and speech and language therapy are also integral. Occupational therapists assist adolescents in managing fatigue, establishing routines, and learning strategies to overcome barriers to daily activities. Speech and language therapists can address functional speech or swallowing difficulties, helping affected youth communicate effectively and safely. Plans must be flexible and responsive, adapting to the young person’s evolving strengths and challenges over time.
Peer support groups for adolescents living with FND can provide an invaluable sense of community and understanding. Meeting others who share similar experiences reduces feelings of isolation and validates the difficulties they face. Youth group activities led by trained professionals can focus on building resilience, exploring identity beyond illness, and developing skills that lay the foundation for future independence and fulfilment.
Ultimately, successful treatment and support for teenagers with FND rest on a holistic, compassionate approach. Recognising their individuality, involving them in decisions about their care, and trusting in their capacity to recover can foster hope and empowerment. By combining therapeutic techniques, open communication, educational initiatives, and family engagement, we can create an environment where adolescents with FND can thrive both now and into adulthood.
Empowering teenagers through education and advocacy
Empowering teenagers with FND begins with education that fosters understanding, self-advocacy, and resilience. Adolescents benefit greatly from receiving clear, honest information about their condition, delivered in a way that acknowledges the very real nature of their symptoms without blame or judgement. When young people understand what FND is and how it affects them, they are better equipped to explain their experiences to others, advocate for their needs, and engage confidently in their treatment and recovery.
School environments are pivotal settings for fostering empowerment. Educating teachers, school staff, and peers about FND helps demystify the condition and challenges harmful misconceptions that can isolate affected youth. Awareness sessions, resource packs for educators, and open dialogue sessions can all play a part in reducing stigma and ensuring that academic adjustments are handled with sensitivity and respect. Providing adolescents with a voice in conversations about their educational accommodations affirms their autonomy and fosters a greater sense of inclusion and agency.
Family involvement is crucial in helping teenagers feel supported and understood. Educating families about FND, including the role of emotional wellbeing in managing symptoms, can shift dynamics towards more effective and compassionate support. Family members can learn how to validate their teenager’s experiences without fostering dependency, helping the young person gradually reclaim independence and confidence. Workshops, counselling sessions, and online resources tailored for families of youth with FND can provide ongoing guidance and reassurance as they navigate challenges together.
Youth advocacy also plays a powerful role in empowerment. Encouraging adolescents to participate in awareness campaigns, peer support initiatives, or community engagement projects gives them opportunities to transform personal experiences into broader positive change. This can boost self-esteem, foster a sense of purpose, and contribute to normalising FND within wider society. Listening to the voices of young people with lived experience ensures that support services, educational strategies, and healthcare pathways are shaped in ways that genuinely meet their needs.
Building resilience among teenagers with FND often involves promoting skills that extend beyond managing symptoms. Education around stress management, mindfulness, goal setting, and emotional regulation equips youth with tools to handle everyday challenges more effectively. Therapeutic group programmes or school-based wellbeing initiatives can provide safe spaces for adolescents to explore these skills while building connections with others who understand their journey. By investing in their personal growth and mental health, we empower them to lead fulfilling, self-directed lives despite the obstacles they may face.
Ultimately, empowering teenagers with FND is a collaborative effort requiring commitment from families, educators, healthcare providers, and communities. Through targeted education and meaningful advocacy, adolescents can be supported not just to cope with FND but to thrive, recognising their strengths, embracing their aspirations, and forging their path towards a hopeful future.
