Functional neurological disorders (FND): communicating diagnosis
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Functional neurological disorders (FND): communicating diagnosis. Tell the patient what they have before what they do not have.
Principles of communicating diagnosis
- Tell the patient what they have before what they do not have
- Consider the patient’s health concerns
- Assert the belief that the symptoms are genuine
- Explain what functional symptoms are
- Give positive explanations for symptoms
- Explain the absence of structural problem
- Explain the potential reversibility of symptoms
- Reassure the patient of potential improvement and recovery
- Copy the clinic letter to the patient emphasising the important points
Emphasise positive factors
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De-emphasise negative factors
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Refer patients to useful websites
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References
- Reuber M, Mitchell AJ, Howlett SJ, Crimlisk HL, Grunewald RA. Functional symptoms in neurology: questions and answers. JNNP 2005; 76:307-314.
- Marcus H, Aldam P, Lennox G, Laing R. Medically unexplained neurological symptoms. JRSM Short Rep 2010; 1:25.
- Stone J. Functional neurological disorders: the neurological assessment as treatment. Pract Neurol 2016; 16:7-17.
- Carson AJ, Brown R, David AS, et al. Functional (conversion) neurological symptoms: research since the millennium. JNNP 2012; 83:842-850.
- http://www.neurosymptoms.org/
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