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  • Functional Neurological Disorder and the Fight Response

    #facingfnd #functionalneurologicaldisorder #alissaanswers Prefrontal Cortex: responsible for logic and reasoning Audience Member Question: by Anonymous in Facing FND - It's real! (functional neurological disorder support group) "Hi there, I am wondering if you post this for me as I don’t want people to judge me or be triggered by this. I have FND since 2023. Have my good days and bad but today was different…. It was violent. Like pulling hair, hitting myself, screaming and biting and hitting myself with my phone in the face repeatedly… m question is am I going crazy or does this happpen to other people too ???????" Alissa's Answer - Functional Neurological Disorder and the Fight Response This sounds like the "fight" response. And I have experienced something similar. I would say that it's normal. But explaining why could be a bit of a longer answer. Understand the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous System. To understand Functional Neurological Disorder and the Fight Response, we first have to understand that the nervous system in the human body is programmed to have two separate states. The first state is the parasympathetic nervous system. This is your calm rest and digest state that you want to be in most of the time. The second state is there by God's design for our survival. It is called the sympathetic nervous system. It is responsible for our instinctual survival instincts. I came across a helpful explanation online, but I can’t seem to find it. If I remember right the amygdala is heavily involved with FND. When the mind senses a threat, the amygdala automatically pumps out whatever chemicals, such as adrenaline, that the body needs to deal with the threat. The result is the “FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, or FAWN” response. Different people seem to be wired in different ways as far as their go-to response. For example, as an abuse survivor and combat veteran, my husband is a “fighter”. That’s how his brain has best been taught to keep him safe. So when he is triggered, very often the instinctual fight response comes out first. I’m different, and I would dare say most of us with FND are different. For me, the freeze response often instinctually comes out first. FND hijacks and amplifies the Amygdala’s response. You have to understand one more thing before I finish this explanation. Picture a normal person walking through the woods. There is a noise in the bushes, and a bunny pops out in the path. They might be a little surprised, but very quickly their mind judges it as no big deal, and they continue on in their parasympathetic, calm, rest and digest nervous system state. However if a bear or a mountain lion jumps out in front of them, their mind responds appropriately to the threat by triggering the amygdala to jump start the “FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, FAWN” response. And that lets them instinctually survive the situation without having to think too hard about it. Also note that when a brain is triggered like this, the prefrontal cortex (responsible for reasoning) basically stops working, and the body is governed more by the “lizard brain” instincts. Talking to a triggered person you’ll find they aren’t always very rational, and that’s because they literally can’t be. They essentially lost access to that part of the brain. And remember it takes 20 minutes to calm down enough for someone to switch back to the parasympathetic calm state. In FND the brain could have the same response to a bunny appearing on the path as it would to a bear. FND hijacks and amplifies the Amygdala’s response to threat. It's instinctual. Another thing you have to understand is that triggering the Amygdala is INSTINCTUAL. The mind perceives a threat and boom the amygdala is triggered. It’s not like it's a conscious process that you have control over just by thinking extra hard or something. And yes it’s torture when you have to live through it. Since it is instinctual, the way to start preventing it is by eliminating the triggers themselves for a time until your brain heals. (Refer to my other post about brain pathways and how to rewire the brain.) Probably about 95% of our daily actions are governed by the subconscious brain which is the home of our habits. Ever wonder why it takes x amount of days to form a new habit? It’s because you have to rewire your brain. The subconscious mind is going to choose the easiest pathway, the one that is the biggest and most often used. It takes the conscious mind to choose a different smaller pathway. Remember the more you use a pathway the bigger it gets and the more likely it is for the subconscious mind to choose it habitually. The less you use a pathway the more it gets overgrown and the less likely the subconscious mind will choose it habitually. Remember that in FND the brain has created a pathway from the emotional center to the movement center that should NOT be there. And to heal from FND you literally have to rewire your own brain. You do this by avoiding triggers that would cause your brain to use the bad pathway. And instead do things that use the good pathways that you want your subconscious to choose habitually in the future. Enlarge the good pathways with use. Reduce the bad pathway by not using it.  How are you wired? How are you wired with the “FIGHT, FLIGHT, FREEZE, FAWN” response? What comes out in you first? As opposed to my husband who automatically goes to “fight” for survival, I often automatically go to “freeze”. This accounts, in my opinion, for many of my FND symptoms such as falling down, stuttering, foggy brain, etc. Here’s the big aha moment. Tell me in the comments if you guys agree with this hypothesis or not. In my personal experience I have noticed that if my body has gone into “freeze” response (meaning I can no longer flee) and my mind still senses a threat I’ve only got two responses left… fawn or fight. If something in my environment is uncontrollable and making me angry I could go directly into my last perceived threat response… and that’s fight mode. It’s automatic. It’s visceral. And after it’s over it’s so unsettling to think about. Here’s a personal example. I have extreme noise sensitivity as one FND symptom. My husband has a loud voice in general. And he has terrible PTSD. If he’s triggered he might raise his voice as his automatic “fight” response. (PTSD is kind of similar to FND in that the amygdala gets triggered inappropriately through no fault of their own, and the PTSD response in combat veterans is often fight.) Anyway, we were in a vehicle in an enclosed space, and his PTSD clashed with my FND. He kept shouting at the top of his lungs and wouldn’t stop. We were in an enclosed space, and I had extreme noise sensitivity. I couldn’t block out the noise or escape from it. And I couldn’t deal with it. “Fawning” or kindly reminding him about my noise sensitivity wouldn’t work. So my body goes directly into fight mode. I happened to have a cup of warm coffee. And, desperate to make the noise stop, I dumped it on him. (He’s fine. But that wasn’t correct behavior on both of our parts. And yet it was instinctual due to FND and PTSD both being triggered at the same time.) Over the years I’ve probably thrown and broken one or two coffee cups on the floor on other occasions when he was being loud and I couldn’t move. But by far the most common fight symptom was screaming at the top of my lungs. The amygdala just dumped so much stuff into my blood that the response was so incredibly strong. Screaming gave me a little relief. Lack of blood flow to the brain can make your head feel foggy. Now let me address the hitting yourself in the head symptom. I think you might be instinctually trying to increase blood flow to the brain. I think I probably banged my head with my palm on occasion, but it’s not a symptom that stands out as super often in my memory. Try these positions that help boost blood flow to the brain. What does stand out is the position in which I found relief. I have two. And both stimulate blood flow to the brain. Position number 1 : is just lying flat on the floor. Position number 2 : is kneeling on my knees with my elbows on the floor in front of me and my head resting on my forearms. This position is very helpful. It directs blood flow to the prefrontal cortex. I have a theory that part of FND involves reduced blood flow to the brain. But that is a discussion for another day. Recommended Reading On Functional Neurological Disorder and the Fight Response If you like our content on Functional Neurological Disorder and the Fight Response, we suggest you check out this book: "I healed 95% from severe FND, and I'm still making steady gains using this method backed by 241 scientific sources." -Alissa Black

  • Understanding Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

    Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), formerly known as conversion disorder, is a condition where patients experience neurological symptoms—such as tremors, seizures, and sensory disturbances—that are not explained by traditional medical tests. This article explores the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of FND, including my personal experience with this complex condition. Sources say there is not a structural cause for FND symptoms, but as a sufferer of FND after looking at my own brain scans, I disagree. My personal opinion is that the spots shown on my brain are actual damage. I have also read about the possible link to neuroinflammation, and I think that is a very real possibility. I often find comfort in a modified child's pose during an FND episode. this position pushes blood toward my frontal lobe. I think this could be evidence of neuroinflammation and or other structural changes. Is FND Real? FND symptoms are very real and often debilitating for those who suffer from them. FND has gained increased attention in recent years as research has shed more light on its causes, treatments, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in managing this condition. What is Functional Neurological Disorder? According to sources, FND, also known as conversion disorder, involves a disruption in the way the brain sends and receives signals to different parts of the body. Rather than being caused by damage to the brain or nerves (again, I disagree), FND is believed to result from a functional issue—how the brain processes information—leading to real physical symptoms. These symptoms can mimic various neurological conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or epilepsy, making diagnosis challenging. Functional Neurological Disorder Symptoms The symptoms of FND are diverse and can affect movement, sensation, or cognition. Common symptoms include: Motor symptoms:  Tremors, spasms, or sudden weakness, often affecting a single limb or side of the body. I have noticed a group of us that specifically had tremors in the right hand/forearm. This observation deserves more research. I also had trouble speaking and would stutter. Non-epileptic seizures (NES):  Seizure-like episodes that resemble epilepsy but do not have the same electrical abnormalities in the brain. I used to call them pseudo seizures. Sensory symptoms:  Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in certain body parts. I didn't have so much of these, other than some intermittent neuropathy in one foot. I did have noise and visual sensitivity. Cognitive symptoms:  Difficulty concentrating, memory issues, or cognitive "fog." These symptoms can fluctuate and are often triggered or worsened by stress, fatigue, or emotional distress. Causes and Risk Factors for FND FND has a multifactorial origin, with various physical, psychological, and social factors contributing to its development. Some individuals may develop FND following physical injury, illness, or a period of high emotional stress, while others may have a history of trauma or adverse life events. Sources say though no single cause has been identified, the disorder is thought to result from a combination of predisposing factors (such as genetics or temperament), precipitating factors (such as stress or physical illness), and perpetuating factors (like avoidance behaviors or ongoing stress). I say that the body endures the cumulative affects of what it is exposed to and hasn't had the chance to heal from fully. Think of your body as separate from yourself. Then list the things that would stress out your body and make it work harder to compensate. Infection, injury, abuse, phycological stress, being too busy, feeling pressured, etc. If you are like me, I used to try to do too much in life at the same time. I really pushed myself. The problem with pushing yourself to the limit like I did is that sometimes life events happen that you can't control. Sometimes more than one thing in quick succession. And you don't have the metaphorical extra fuel in your tank to deal with it. After begging for rest for years and being ignored for years your body reaches the tipping point. You've let too much stuff accumulate that needs to be healed. It doesn't have the capacity to keep functioning without rest. It will force you to rest. In my case it would shut down my body. My legs would give out and I would fall on the floor. FND forced me to cut unnecessary things out of my life and quit doing more than I could handle. FND Diagnosis Diagnosing FND involves ruling out other neurological conditions and recognizing positive signs that are specific to FND. For instance, Hoover's sign—a test used during a physical examination—can help differentiate functional weakness from organic weakness. Additionally, neuroimaging and EEG tests are often performed to exclude other disorders, but a diagnosis of FND is based on clinical observations rather than laboratory findings. FND Treatment Options Effective treatment of FND requires a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating neurological, psychological, and physical rehabilitation interventions. Treatment plans are highly individualized but may include: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT):  CBT helps patients understand and manage the thoughts and behaviors that may contribute to their symptoms. Physical therapy:  Targeted exercises aim to restore normal movement patterns and function. Psychotherapy:  Addressing underlying emotional or psychological issues, such as trauma, can play a critical role in symptom improvement. Medications:  While there is no specific drug for FND, medications for anxiety, depression, or heart rate may be prescribed depending on the patient’s symptoms. Early intervention and a strong therapeutic alliance between the patient and healthcare providers are essential for improving outcomes. In my humble opinion, the medical industry lacks understanding about FND. Therefore treatment is lacking. I got helpful tools. But it sort of felt like I was expected to pull myself up by my bootstraps if I wanted to get better. But healing is a matter of rest, not of pushing yourself. Your body has literally run out of energy to push itself. It needs HELP when it has FND, maybe more than ever. And sadly, for many of us, treatment is lacking. For example, I was not well and I asked for more help. I was told that I could do another round of CBT. But I had already done that. So I basically felt stone walled. Like the medical industry was saying we've done everything we are going to do. And there I was still sick. Thankfully in my case my dad eventually visited and saw how sick I was, and he started researching to help me get well naturopathically. And eventually my parents took me in and gave me a safe place to regenerate. Again, rest is critical for healing. Rest is critical for healing FND Functional Neurological Disorder. Living with FND FND is a long-term condition, but many patients experience significant improvement with proper treatment. Support groups, educational resources, and coping strategies can also help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. It is essential for patients to feel validated and supported, as the stigma surrounding FND can sometimes lead to delayed diagnosis or inadequate care. I have gotten tons better, but my healing is coming at a snail's pace. Conclusion Functional Neurological Disorder is a complex condition that challenges the traditional boundaries of neurology and psychiatry. While much is still being learned about its causes and treatments, advances in understanding FND have led to better diagnostic tools and more effective treatments. Raising awareness about FND and advocating for continued research is crucial in helping patients receive the care and support they need. Have you experienced symptoms of FND? Share your story in the comments below! References Edwards, M. J., Adams, R. A., Brown, H., Parees, I., & Friston, K. J. (2012). A Bayesian account of 'hysteria'. Brain , 135(11), 3495-3512. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/aws129 Stone, J., Carson, A., Duncan, R., & Roberts, R. (2020). Recognizing and explaining functional neurological disorder: Still a long way to go. Practical Neurology , 20(2), 77-84. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019-002438 Perez, D. L., LaFrance, W. C., & Nicholson, T. R. (2021). Advancing the diagnosis and care of patients with functional neurological disorder. JAMA Psychiatry , 78(3), 243-244. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2020.4185 Hallett, M., Aybek, S., Carpenter, K., & Carson, A. (2021). Functional neurological disorder: New subtypes and shared mechanisms. The Lancet Neurology , 20(3), 170-180. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(20)30498-7 Espay, A. J., Aybek, S., Carson, A., Edwards, M. J., Goldstein, L. H., Hallett, M., ... & LaFrance, W. C. (2018). Current concepts in diagnosis and treatment of functional neurological disorders. JAMA Neurology , 75(9), 1132-1141. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2018.1264 As always I have to add the disclaimer that I am not a doctor. Always consult medical professionals before making your own informed choices. Recommended Reading On Functional Neurological Disorder If you like our content on Functional Neurological Disorder, we suggest you check out this book: "I healed 95% from severe FND, and I'm still making steady gains using this method backed by 241 scientific sources." -Alissa Black Here are some alternative terms for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) , considering various historical, medical, and psychiatric contexts: Conversion Disorder  – Commonly used in psychiatric contexts, especially in DSM-IV, emphasizing the psychological-to-physical symptom conversion. Psychogenic Neurological Disorder  – Implies a psychological origin for the neurological symptoms. Hysteria  – An outdated and stigmatizing term historically used for similar symptoms, particularly in women. Somatoform Disorder  – A broader psychiatric term that encompasses physical symptoms with no identifiable medical cause. Dissociative (Motor) Disorder  – A term found in ICD-10, particularly for movement-related symptoms in FND. Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD)  – Describes non-epileptic seizures that occur in FND. Functional Movement Disorder  – Refers specifically to movement-related symptoms like tremors, spasms, or abnormal gait in FND. Functional Seizures  – Used to describe non-epileptic seizures, a common symptom of FND. Functional Neurological Symptoms Disorder  – A term that emphasizes the symptomatic presentation without focusing on the cause. Functional Somatic Syndrome  – A broader term used in contexts where FND is grouped with other conditions involving unexplained physical symptoms. Functional Disorder  – A general term used for disorders with no clear structural or organic cause, including FND. Somatic Symptom Disorder  – Another broad psychiatric term under DSM-5 that can include FND, particularly focusing on the patient’s response to their physical symptoms. Functional Cognitive Disorder  – Refers to FND with predominantly cognitive symptoms like memory problems and concentration difficulties. Functional Weakness  – Sometimes used to describe weakness in FND without any structural neurological cause. Functional Tremor  – Describes tremors as part of FND, distinguishing them from tremors caused by other neurological conditions. Psychogenic Movement Disorder  – A specific term for movement-related symptoms in FND that have a psychological contribution. Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES)  – Specifically refers to seizure-like episodes without the abnormal electrical brain activity seen in epilepsy. Dissociative Seizures  – Another term used interchangeably with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, often found in psychiatric classifications. Functional Gait Disorder  – Used when walking abnormalities are the predominant symptom of FND. Medically Unexplained Neurological Symptoms (MUNS)  – A term used by some clinicians to describe FND before a formal diagnosis is made. This list reflects a variety of perspectives from neurology, psychiatry, and historical contexts. The modern term Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)  is preferred as it avoids the psychological bias and stigma associated with earlier terms.

  • Explain, Don’t Excuse: Winning the Battle with Conversion Disorder

    Got a chronic illness? Welcome to the club. I’ve got one too. A lot of people are dealing with illnesses like Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Conversion Disorder, and Psychogenic Non Epileptic Seizures (PNES). And over time, I’ve noticed something. There are two types of people. chronic illness Type 1: Excuse-Makers Never Recover When it comes to battling FND or Conversion Disorder, I've had the distinct displeasure of meeting the first type—the excuse-makers . And that's the type that never gets better. This type resigns themselves to the diagnosis and chooses to suffer for life. They believe they won't get better. And so they don't. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. They give up their hope. And what's worse? They try to take it away from others, too. But here’s what really breaks my heart. Like crabs in a boiling pot, when they see someone clawing their way out, they grab at them, trying to drag them back down. If they’ve lost hope, they want everyone else to lose it too. They turn their diagnosis into a death sentence. Game over. They choose to be miserable and stuck - forever. Even if some compassionate soul tries to show them the way out... tries to help them... they will start ranting and raving, determined to stay stuck in their mess. Instead of their illness being a challenge to explain and overcome, they begin to use it as an excuse to avoid trying to get well. Some people won't accept hope even when it's shoved in their faces. If at first you don't succeed, try try again Type 2: Explainers Might Beat Conversion Disorder But the second type of person? That’s my kind of human. They face reality. They explain their condition with clarity. But they don’t make excuses. They don’t let the diagnosis define the end of their story. Perhaps you, like me, identify with this type of human. So let me talk directly to you. It's one thing to look around and acknowledge your situation. Accept your limits, and take breaks when you need to. Don't overtax your fragile system. That's wisdom. But it’s another thing entirely to give up—to stop fighting and use your diagnosis as an excuse. No one’s guaranteed a fair shake in this life. Just death and taxes, remember? So you might have to claw your way out of the boiling inferno one millimeter at a time. You might gain two, lose one. But you're still moving. You're still reclaiming your life, albeit at a snail's pace. But you are still making progress, and that is what matters. You are still TYING because you haven't given up hope. Yes it may be important to explain to yourself and others why your progress is so slow and your limits are so small. But explanations aren't the same as excuses. You can't use your diagnosis as an excuse to give up. Progress might be slow, and you might face setbacks. But you are TRYING. You never stop trying. And it is all going to pay off. At least it did for me. I never gave up my hope. I had to believe in a better tomorrow. My future didn't belong in the boiling pot with the other FND sufferers who had given up. I saw a way out, and I took it. My progress was slow. I cried - hard. I even had people in the FND community try to knock me back down. I've been cursed out an disrespected for sharing my story. But I never gave up. And that's what I want you to take from this. I healed 95% from my own chronic condition, and I am still making steady, slow gains. This only happened because I never gave up hope. And I didn't let those who gave up on themselves dictate my path. So explain your condition, but never make excuses. Don't ever give up! So if you’re still trying, still clawing—welcome to the real club. The club of fighters. The club of explainers. And we don’t quit. Recommended Reading On Conversion Disorder If you like our content on Conversion Disorder, we suggest you check out this book: "I healed 95% from severe FND, and I'm still making steady gains using this method backed by 241 scientific sources." -Alissa Black

  • Can Functional Neurological Disorder Cause Seizures?

    Yes. The short answer is yes, Functional Neurological Disorder causes many types of seizures. Enjoy this excerpt from my upcoming book, FND Recovery Guide: Seven Evidence-Based Steps to Heal Functional Neurological Disorder (Volume 1) . FND involves many types of seizures 9.6 Common Symptoms – A Comprehensive Overview of FND’s Impact on Body and Mind Complete List of FND Symptoms While my experience with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) was severe, I recognize that FND manifests in many different ways. Some individuals experience symptoms I didn’t face, such as chronic pain. To create a comprehensive list of FND symptoms, I reached out to the broader FND community. In January 2025, I polled my Facebook support group, “ Facing FND – It’s real! (functional neurological disorder support group) ,” which at the time had just over 600 members. I encouraged people to share their symptoms without worrying about perfect wording. I used ChatGPT to reword their responses and eliminate duplicates, making it easier for those already dealing with cognitive difficulties. For the most complete list possible, I also added in my own symptoms as well as symptoms shown in other research. Here is the compiled list of symptoms, formatted for ease of reading. You can also visit our group, where the raw data from this poll is available, and feel free to add your own symptoms there as well. Fluctuating Symptom Severity: While not a specific “symptom,” the unpredictable nature of FND is a hallmark of the condition. Symptoms can fluctuate in intensity or change from day to day. This variability is important for setting patient expectations and helping clarify the clinical picture. Additionally, there are a few key patterns to note: Symptoms are often localized to one side of the body . Almost all symptoms occur intermittently , meaning they come and go rather than being constant. Many symptoms are interconnected  and can occur in a specific order or progression. Now let’s dive in to the specifics. Seizures and Tremors Seizures are a common symptom in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), but understanding them can be confusing due to the variety of terms and types. To make things easier to grasp, let’s break it down into three simple concepts: Shaking vs. No Shaking : Some seizures involve shaking or tremors, while others don’t. You might see someone physically tremble or jerk, but in other cases, the seizure could look like a loss of awareness without any visible shaking. Awareness of the Seizure : In some types of seizures, the person experiencing them may be fully aware of what’s happening, while in others, they may have no memory of the event at all. Non-Epileptic : The most important thing to know is that all of these seizures in FND are non-epileptic . That means, unlike epileptic seizures, they don’t involve abnormal electrical activity in the brain. They still affect the body in similar ways, but they stem from a different cause. Once you understand these three points, the many different types of FND seizures start to make more sense. Now, let’s dive into the specific types, though you don’t need to memorize every term—just keep in mind that they all share these core features. Here are the various types of seizures commonly experienced by people with FND: Non-Epileptic Seizures (NES) These seizures are often mistaken for epileptic seizures due to symptoms like shaking or jerking. However, they are not triggered by the electrical disturbances typically found in epilepsy. Instead, they reflect a breakdown in how the body and brain interact, without the abnormal brain activity seen in epileptic seizures (Devinsky, 2011). Dissociative Seizures A dissociative seizure can be particularly disorienting. During these episodes, an individual may experience a profound sense of detachment from their own body or the world around them. There’s no shaking involved, but the person may lose touch with reality, as though they’re watching themselves from a distance. These moments can be confusing, frightening, and deeply isolating for both the person experiencing them and their loved ones (Pick et al., 2016; Eaves, 2024; Schmutz, 2013). Functional Seizures This umbrella term covers a range of non-epileptic seizures. Symptoms can include shaking, jerking, or even a complete loss of motor control. They are often triggered by emotional stress, traumatic experiences, or physical exertion. The unpredictability of these seizures can make daily life feel like an emotional roller coaster, and they are frequently misunderstood by those unfamiliar with FND (Duque et al., 2023; Asadi-Pooya et al., 2020; Asadi-Pooya et al., 2023). Functional Impaired Awareness Seizures (FIAD) During FIAD, a person may lose awareness of their surroundings and even have no memory of the episode once it’s over. The person may continue moving around during the seizure, but their actions are automatic, as if on autopilot. For those of you who experience this, the lack of memory afterward can be unsettling, leaving us feeling disconnected from our own bodies. I have never experienced such an episode — at least I don’t think I have. 😂 Functional Tremors One of the more visible symptoms of FND, functional tremors often appear as involuntary shaking, but without the abnormal brain activity seen in conditions like Parkinson’s disease. For me, it was my right forearm and hand that would uncontrollably flap like a fish—what some would call a “princess wave.” This tremor, though localized, can be deeply disorienting and, for many with FND, it’s often confined to one side of the body. I’ve found several others who share the same experience, and it’s a symptom that warrants more research. Myoclonic Seizures Myoclonic seizures involve sudden, involuntary jerks or twitches of a muscle or group of muscles. These can happen without warning and are not caused by the electrical activity typically seen in epileptic myoclonus. Though brief, they can be deeply unsettling, especially when they occur in rapid succession (Striano & Belcastro, 2012; Nijsen et al., 2010). Panic-like Seizures While panic attacks are often thought of as psychological events, in FND, panic-like seizures are neurological in origin. These seizures can involve shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations, and a sense of impending doom, much like a panic attack. However, these symptoms are not triggered by psychological stress, but by an underlying neurological dysfunction that mimics the signs of a panic attack without the typical emotional triggers (Hallett et al., 2022). This could explain why I often felt like I was having a panic attack when I had nothing to panic about. My body was just overloaded. Conclusion Living with FND seizures is like being trapped in a body that betrays you, where each seizure feels like a new wave of confusion and fear. And yet, through understanding and awareness, there is hope. The more we talk about these symptoms—whether tremors, dissociation, or myoclonic jerks—the more we can shine a light on a disorder that has long been misunderstood. I can say from personal experience that healing is possible. It’s not easy, and it’s not quick, but it is possible. 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