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Functional neurological disorder: reflecting on the ‘hot potato’ of modern medicine through a relational lens

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 August 2025

Abrar Hussain Open the ORCID record for Abrar Hussain [Opens in a new window]
Abrar Hussain*
Affiliation:
A consultant psychiatrist running a specialist service for functional neurological disorder within Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Bracknell, UK. He is accredited in cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR). He uses a trauma-informed approach in his clinical practice.
*
Correspondence Dr Abrar Hussain. Email: abrar.hussain@berkshire.nhs.uk
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Summary

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a well-recognised condition often involving a complex interplay of biopsychosocial factors. Although awareness of FND among the general population and clinical staff has increased and improved over recent years, challenges remain for the sufferers across multiple areas. This reflective piece explores these challenges using a relational understanding. The model of cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) is used to examine some of the dynamics and concepts at play in FND.

Keywords

Functional neurological disordercognitive analytic therapydualismvalidationintegration

Information

Type
Clinical Reflection
Information
BJPsych Advances , First View , pp. 1 - 3
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Royal College of Psychiatrists

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References

Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (2025) Traps, Dilemmas and Snags. ACAT (https://www.acat.me.uk/page/traps+dilemmas+and+snags). Accessed 13 Mar 2025.Google Scholar
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McLoughlin, C, McGhie-Fraser, B, Carson, A, et al (2024) How stigma unfolds for patients with Functional Neurological Disorder. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 181: 111250.10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111667CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stone, J, Hoeritzauer, I, McWhirter, L, Carson, A (2024) Functional neurological disorder: defying dualism. Journal of Psychosomatic Research; 181: 111251.Google Scholar
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