The diagnosis of functional neurological deficit provides an umbrella term for a variety of symptoms of apparent neurological origin but which current models struggle to explain psychologically or organically. Presentation may be similar to a wide range of other neurological conditions from paralysis to weakness. Most neurologists use it as a code for conversion disorder in an effort not to offend the patient. Given the controversy over conversion disorder as a real diagnosis the term is most useful in an aetiological neutral sense.
Functional neurological deficit can present with any motor or sensory symptom in the body including:
- Weakness / paralysis of a limb or the entire body
- Impaired hearing or vision
- Loss / disturbance of sensation
- Impairment or loss of speech
- Fixed dystonia, unlike normal dystonia
- Tremor, myoclonus, or other movement disorders
- Gait problems
Given the occurrence of these medically unexplained symptoms in patients with organic brain injury, spinal injury, to post-anaethaesia and post-viral illnesses, the modern term moves away from psychodynamic theory and provides a useful label for what is a complex and little understood disorder.
Read more about Functional Neurological Deficit: Neuroanatomy, Treatment
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