Functional Neurological Disorder is a common but infrequently diagnosed neurological condition that appears to be on the boundary between neurology and psychiatry. When I was diagnosed in 2003, it was labeled as a psychiatric condition that required a neurologist and a psychiatrist to diagnose. Since the mid-2000’s there has been a huge push by both…
Functional Neurological Disorder is a neurological condition, but how it works and the processes associated with it are right on the boundry between neurology and psychiatry. While characterizing it as neurological is very helpful for those of us with the condition and for the researchers studying it, the fact remains that many aspects of FND…
It’s that time again, I’m writing in response to A Chronic Voice’s monthly linkup. April prompts: distancing, returning, stressing, understating, celebrating When I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder(FND) in 2003, I was told by the neurologist who diagnosed me that I also needed to see a psychiatrist to confirm my diagnosis, since it was considered a…
I’ve noticed that some people in various disability-related groups put a huge emphasis on their diagnosis as an identity and that many disability groups are siloed based upon diagnosis. I understand it, but it also worries me. I understand the need to belong and be accepted, and that part of that process when it comes…
While I’ve written a fair amount about working while disabled, I haven’t more deeply explored other ways to bring in money(or exactly what qualifies as ‘earning’ money), so I thought I would do so today. I also thought it would be good to talk a bit about how you may be able to protect yourself…
Once more, I am participating in A Chronic Voice’s monthly linkup. January prompts: purging, seizing, opening, revamping, and envisioning Since January and the new year are so often used by people for fresh starts, I am doing so as well. Even though I wish I had things going strong in January, I usually have the wind…
Once more, I am participating in A Chronic Voice’s monthly linkup. December prompts: ending, bonding, coping, traveling, and warming November and December tend to be emotionally challenging months for me. There’s a pressure and expectation for people to be cheerful this time of year, as often there are a lot of festivities about hope, giving, and…
I still remember the moment I had suicidal ideations for the first time. I was deeply depressed, but knew that I wanted to live and that I had my life reasonably together. Despite that, as I cut up some chicken to cook for dinner, something in my brain suggested that I should use that sharp…
I’ve been writing a lot lately about my own struggle to stay balanced while managing a migraine, my Functional Neurological Disorder(FND) symptoms, my cat Rorschach’s health, and my own emotional response to the threat of losing BiRequest, one of my primary social supports and resources. While all of this has been going on, a friend…
Once more, I am participating in A Chronic Voice’s monthly linkup. words: paying, attending, organizing, plunging, knowing Plunging into a new diagnosis In early September, I was plunged into the world of migraines. Prior to August, my neurologist(who specializes in FND) and I had suspicions that some of the occasional headaches, nausea, and excruciating arm pain…