FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) can turn your world upside down. You may feel frightened, frustrated and misunderstood. Many people with FND describe symptoms that seem to appear out of nowhere.
These symptoms are real and overwhelming. They can affect movement, speech, sensations, confidence, and so much more.
You are not imagining it. It’s real, but no one has found a cause for your symptoms, though patterns are emerging. What you are experiencing is a disruption in the way the brain sends and receives information.
Research is now showing that FND involves attention, expectations and learned patterns in the brain and neural systems. Psychological and behavioural therapies, including hypnotherapy, can influence these patterns. This can help you to take back control and learn new skills.
My clients have told me that living with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) can feel frustrating, confusing and isolating. It changes lives and identities.
I know the symptoms are real, but they are too often misunderstood. But the good news is that I’ve seen clients get back to a better life.
Understanding FND
Some people find FND confusing, so let me explain.
Firstly, FND has been described by many other terms until the criteria were listed in the DSM-5, the doctor’s diagnostic guide.
In older papers, it can be described as conversion disorder, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), Non epileptic attack disorder (NEAD), pseudo seizures and many more terms that describe the primary presenting problem.
FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) is a condition whereby the brain struggles to send and receive signals properly. Your nervous system is healthy, but something has gone wrong with the way the brain processes information. This leads to very real symptoms that can affect movement, sensation, speech or awareness. Symptoms may come on suddenly or gradually. They may vary from day to day. They may be frightening, confusing and exhausting.
Neurologists around the world now recognise FND as a genuine disorder that stands at the intersection of neurology and psychology. It is diagnosed by positive signs, not by ruling everything out.
Both neurologists and psychiatrists can be involved with people suffering from FND.
What causes FND?
Research has shown that attention, expectation, and the body’s automatic responses play key roles in how symptoms develop. When these processes become overwhelmed or misdirected, the brain can produce very real physical symptoms, even though scans often look normal.
There is no single cause, and finding it can be challenging, as the reason might be outside a person’s conscious awareness. Or they might not be able to express past difficulties.
However, trauma as a child or younger person could be a predisposing factor, especially if there was abuse or neglect. This might result in an attachment disorder as the person might find it hard to develop meaningful relationships.
One school of thought says that it’s the body’s way of holding onto and expressing past trauma.
Some people may have a family member who has been ill and had medical involvement for many years, and that has had an impact subconsciously on the person.
Viruses, other infections, stress and illnesses are also thought to trigger FND.
Genetics can play a role, and it might just be that people with FND aren’t very good at expressing their emotions.
Finally, a person’s negative beliefs can also add to the condition. For example, if you believe that you have a disease, the doctors are missing something, and you have no hope for the future, this can contribute to struggles to shift the symptoms of FND. It causes fears and worries.
Symptoms of FND
Common symptoms include tremors, limb weakness, gait problems, jerks, dissociative episodes, non-epileptic seizures, speech difficulties, numbness, and chronic pain. Many people also experience fatigue, anxiety, depression and a reduced sense of control. One person might have many symptoms, while another might have only a few.
The symptoms are not imagined or deliberately produced. They reflect learned patterns within the brain that have become stuck.
Moving forward
Many healthcare professionals and therapists are now involved in trying to help people with FND.
Knowing this mechanism brings hope.
The good news about FND is that it is changeable; the brain can relearn healthier pathways. This is why psychological, behavioural, and mind-body therapies play an important role in treatment. Hypnotherapy, physiotherapy, CBT, and specialist rehabilitation may help the brain calm, focus, and reorganise things.
I am not claiming that counselling and hypnotherapy are a cure (although some people have amazing results). But, with proper support, many people experience meaningful improvement in confidence, symptom control, and quality of life.
Why hypnotherapy can help FND
I know that there are lots of sceptics when it comes to hypnotherapy, as stage hypnosis and movies that contain hypnosis do not show the health benefits of this tool.
However, hypnotherapy is one of the most promising approaches to FND because it works directly with processes underlying the symptoms of FND: attention, expectation, and the automatic responses of the brain.
Symptoms of FND often become stronger if the brain is in a more threatened or fatigued state. They also increase when attention becomes tightly focused on the symptom. Hypnosis helps you to gently shift these patterns so the brain can learn safer, calmer responses.
There is a growing body of research suggesting that hypnosis acts on the same networks that are implicated in FND. Neuroimaging studies have found that hypnosis can quieten down overactive threat centres of the brain, enhance the ability to control attention, and reduce automatic, unhelpful neurological responses.
A review of studies published in the Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, for example, found that hypnosis reduced functional symptoms by guiding the brain into a calmer and more flexible state. In studies of functional movement symptoms, hypnosis improved motor control by promoting new ways of moving and enhancing the brain–body connection. Smaller clinical studies involving individuals with dissociative seizures have also reported fewer seizures and improved emotional regulation following structured hypnosis sessions.
Hypnotherapy supports FND because it helps you practice healthier neural patterns in a calm, safe way.
During hypnosis, your brain will become more receptive to positive suggestions, imagery, and guided learning. This isn’t about losing control but about gaining control by teaching the brain a new script. For example, you may learn to shift attention away from symptom triggers, reduce muscle tension, change automatic reactions, and rebuild confidence in the movement and communication process. These skills can lower symptoms over time and give you a greater sense of stability.
Hypnotherapy works best as part of a multidisciplinary approach with medical care, physiotherapy, and psychological support. Together, they help the brain relearn patterns at many levels. For many people, hypnotherapy provides a gentler, more natural, and empowering way to support recovery. It offers hope based on neuroscience and evidence, not guesswork.
What the research shows, a summary
Research into hypnotherapy for FND is growing. Although the number of studies remains small, the evidence so far is positive and encouraging. The findings consistently show that hypnotherapy can reduce symptoms, improve emotional regulation, and help people regain a sense of control. Below is a clear summary of what the research currently supports.
Functional Motor Responses
Motor responses can be positive or negative. So some people try to protect themselves and don’t move well. A positive movement is a seizure.
Moene et al. (2002) conducted a clinical investigation into hypnosis for individuals suffering from functional motor disorders such as tremors, gait difficulties, and weakness. Many reported meaningful improvements in movement and physical functioning. This study postulated that during hypnosis, the brain can relearn healthier motor patterns because there is less fear and greater focus on the movement itself. These findings do support the notion that hypnotherapy may supplement physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Functional Non-Epileptic Seizures
Smaller studies involving people with dissociative seizures found that structured hypnosis sessions helped reduce episode frequency and intensity. In one clinical group, participants also reported better emotional regulation and clearer awareness before triggers occurred. Although these studies involved small samples, they underline the potential of hypnosis to calm the nervous system and to reduce dissociative responses.
Chronic Pain Associated with FND
Pain services have used hypnotherapy for many years, and several controlled studies have demonstrated improvements in chronic pain and tension/stress levels. These results are pertinent because chronic pain often interacts with FND symptoms.
Hypnosis has been shown to help lower muscle tension, calm down the brain’s pain-processing networks, and support better emotional coping.
Attention and Expectations
Current research into FND emphasises the importance of attention, prediction, and expectation in the development of symptoms. Neuroimaging studies of hypnosis reveal that hypnotic states directly impact these very networks. Hypnosis has been shown to decrease hypervigilance, redirect attention away from symptoms, and build new and more adaptive expectations about movement and sensation.
What the Research Means for Treatment
Hypnotherapy is not a replacement for medical care; it’s an added layer of support. The research shows that hypnosis can help the brain feel safer, more organised, and more responsive to positive change. It can act as a bridge between physical rehabilitation and psychological therapies.
Many clinicians in neurology, psychology and physiotherapy now recognise hypnotherapy as a helpful adjunct in FND, especially when patients feel stuck or overwhelmed.
What is yet to be improved with Hypnosis Research?
We know that many studies are small, and larger controlled trials will be needed. However, hypnotherapy is a very personalised service, so that may make some studies challenging to follow traditional randomised controlled trials.
As with any medical condition, more studies are needed.
However, the existing evidence is consistent: hypnotherapy can reduce symptoms and improve self-management for many people with FND.
It is a promising, natural, and client-centred approach that aligns well with the modern understanding of neuroplasticity.
Hypnotherapy as a part of a holistic FND treatment plan
A holistic treatment plan needs a multidisciplinary team. A referral from the doctor is essential.
I believe kindness and understanding are vital, as people with FND may have been searching for help for a long time. If they don’t understand their condition, I will give an overview and get them to speak with their doctor.
When I help people suffering from FND, I suggest that they book a block of five sessions; however, more sessions may be required.
Hypnotherapy is not relaxation, although people can feel relaxed with hypnotherapy. It’s repetition of positive suggestion delivered using hypnotic language to assist in letingt go of any past traumas, build resistance, reduce any pain and look to the future.
At the beginning, I ask questions and have my clients fill out a form to tell me about specific experiences with FND.
I evaluate the sessions to change direction if we are not getting the responses we require, but each session will build on previous sessions.
I give clients an audio recording to listen to at home so they can learn to relax there.
I encourage people to continue with physiotherapy and rehabilitation. This helps the muscles to strengthen.
I think about the partner or carers as well, as FND can have a significant impact on them too.
Real client results (anonymised)
One of the first steps when I help people with FND is to build rapport and show them that I understand FND well.
Next, I want the person to feel safe. I practice ethically and believe we should work with the neurologist and the rehabilitation team.
Hypnotherapy sessions are always tailored to the client’s needs and help them let go and focus on a positive future.
My first client, a few years ago, had non-epileptic seizures. After the first hypnotherapy session, her seizures reduced and stopped altogether for three weeks. However, she had other stress-related and medical issues that needed surgery, so she stopped seeing me.
Another client had ‘brain fog’ and non-epileptic seizures. This seemed to be triggered by a traumatic event.
These seizures were so frequent that he couldn’t go out, and his wife became his carer. When I met him, they didn’t go out much due to the fear of seizures. However, after hypnotherapy, his seizures almost stopped, and he started going out again.
Other clients have had reduced sensory issues, better walking and a reduction in anxiety and depression.
Overall, clients tell me that they have less tension, better control, reduced symptoms, increased confidence and hope.
But what I also love to see is the relief that family and carers have when they see progress.
When hypnotherapy may not be suitable.
Hypnotherapy is not for everyone.
It may be unsuitable for people with:
- Severe and untreated mental health conditions
- Clients who are not willing to engage and use hypnosis
- Clients who need an urgent medical review first
- Anyone under the influence of alcohol or street drugs
I personally will always need a referral from a doctor before I use hypnosis to ensure that all investigations have been done and the diagnosis of FND has been made.
How to start hypnotherapy with me
I am sure you have lots of questions about hypnotherapy and how I work, so please book a complimentary 30-minute consultation with me online via Zoom. We can have a chat and get to know each other. I can then explain hypnotherapy, what I do and how I can help you. Go to my website and choose a time that is convenient for you. I work full-time, so you should be able to find something.
There are many benefits of choosing a hypnotherapist who understands FND. For example, understanding some of the struggles you are having, empathising with the difficulties getting a diagnosis, knowing many of the medications you might be on and having previous experiences as a nurse around the tics and seizures you might have.
Additionally, I am a retired nurse, so I understand many tests and medical procedures.
Before I start with any new client, I must have a referral from your doctor, usually your neurologist, confirming the diagnosis and agreeing on hypnotherapy, as I believe in a multidisciplinary approach.
Please make a booking by visiting my website- Awaken the Change. www.awakenthechange.com/online-bookings/
Sessions are online via Zoom so that you can contact me from anywhere in the world.
Conclusion – a message of hope and control
FND is a scary condition for the sufferer and their friends and family. Although there is little to treat from the medical perspective, as your body has a functional problem, there is hope, and hypnotherapy might be the thing you need.
