Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Our Psychologists have availability for face-to-face and online appointments for adults, adolescents and children.
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a condition where the brain struggles to send and receive signals properly—like a software glitch rather than a hardware problem. The brain itself isn’t damaged, but it’s not working as it should, leading to very real symptoms like non-epileptic seizures, muscle weakness, tremors, difficulty walking, or changes in speech or sensation. It’s often linked to things like stress, illness, or injury, though sometimes there’s no clear cause. Treatment for Functional Neurological Disorder—which might include physio, psychology, and speech therapy—can be highly effective, especially with early support and the right team involved.
Symptoms are genuine and can be quite disabling. They often fluctuate and may get worse with stress or fatigue. A key feature of FND is that the symptoms don’t match patterns typically seen in structural brain conditions, but they do respond to treatment—especially when picked up early and managed with a supportive, informed team.
Episodes that look like epileptic seizures but don’t show up on EEG as typical epilepsy
Especially on one side of the body or in the legs
Which might come and go or change depending on attention or stress
Unsteadiness, dragging a foot, or feeling like your legs won’t move properly
Like slurred speech, whispering, or trouble getting words out
Such as numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in parts of the body
Including blurred or tunnel vision, even when the eyes are physically fine
FND affects an estimated 4–12 Australians per 100,000 each year, but it’s likely underdiagnosed
It’s one of the most common reasons Australians are referred to neurology clinics
Nearly 75% of Aussie GPs see patients with unexplained neurological symptoms at least once a month
Early treatment for FND can lower long-term disability and reduce healthcare costs
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) has often been misunderstood—but recent research, including studies from Australia, is helping to shift that. We now have a much better understanding of what’s going on in the brain, how to diagnose FND more accurately, and which treatments are most effective.
For a long time, FND sat in a bit of a grey zone in medicine, but that’s changing fast. Research shows that FND is one of the most common reasons people are referred to neurology clinics, including here in Australia. the symptoms are real and can be disabling, even though they aren’t caused by structural damage in the brain. Instead, the issue lies in how the brain is functioning—how it’s sending and processing signals.
Australian researchers are now urging clinicians to make a positive diagnosis using clear physical signs (rather than just ruling other things out), which helps people feel more confident in the diagnosis and more engaged with their recovery.
One of the most powerful findings in the research is that how the diagnosis is delivered really matters. People do better when they’re given a clear explanation of what FND is, why the diagnosis fits their symptoms, and what the next steps look like. This helps reduce fear and confusion, and it builds trust between the client and their treatment team.
Good communication from the start also lays the foundation for effective therapy—people are more likely to engage in treatment if they understand what’s happening in their body and why.
The research strongly supports a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. That means bringing together a team of professionals—such as neurologists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, GPs, and sometimes speech pathologists—to provide care tailored to the individual.
The most effective help for FND often includes:
Importantly, this isn’t just about treating one part of the problem—it’s about supporting the whole person. This biopsychosocial approach is proving to be much more effective than older models that focuses solely on psychiatric explanations.
Research highlights that early access to treatment for Functional Neurological Disorder can improve recovery rates and reduce the risk of long-term disability. When people receive the right help early on—and feel believed and supported—their outcomes are much better.
Unfortunately, the availability of specialised FND services in Australia can vary depending on where you live. That’s why it’s important to advocate for a diagnosis, seek out clinicians with experience in FND, and build a treatment team that works for you.
*Source: Managing functional neurological disorder: treatment recommendations for health professionals in Australia – National Library of Medicine | PubMed Central
Learning what FND is—and isn’t—can ease worry and help you feel more in control.
Recovery is easier with the right mix of professionals, like a psychologist, physio, and GP.
Simple strategies like breathwork, pacing, and grounding can help retrain brain–body patterns.
Clinical Psychologist, Director of MindBox Psychology
Our Psychologists are highly qualified, holding Masters or Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. We provide treatment for Functional Neurological Disorder using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based tereatments Mindfulness, and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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