Are there higher levels of dissociative symptoms in people with functional neurological disorder?
Research suggests that dissociation—a feeling of being disconnected from one's body or surroundings—may play a role in how functional neurological disorder (FND) develops. People with FND frequently report these experiences, and they are often linked to the severity of the condition.
What the research says
Studies comparing people with FND to healthy individuals have found that those with FND report significantly higher levels of dissociative symptoms in their daily lives 5. These symptoms include depersonalization (feeling like an outside observer of one's body), derealization (feeling like the world around you is unreal), and amnesia 5.
Research also shows that these dissociative experiences are linked to other clinical features. For example, patients with functional motor symptoms or functional seizures report higher levels of psychological dissociation, such as disengagement, compared to healthy controls 7. Furthermore, higher levels of dissociation in patients with functional seizures are associated with poorer psychosocial functioning and lower quality of life 8. Some evidence suggests that these symptoms may also be linked to other conditions, such as anxiety and depression, where dissociation can correlate with greater severity and poorer outcomes 4.
What to ask your doctor
- How do dissociative symptoms, like depersonalization or derealization, specifically impact my diagnosis of FND?
- Are there specific ways to manage or reduce dissociative experiences during my treatment?
- How do my dissociative symptoms relate to my overall quality of life and ability to function daily?
- Can we discuss how my symptoms might interact with other conditions like anxiety or depression?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Neurology and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.