Understanding FND (Functional Neurological Disorder): You’re Not Making It Up

If you live with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder), you might be carrying more than symptoms. You might also be carrying doubt — from other people, from the healthcare system, and sometimes even from yourself.

So I want to say this clearly, right at the start:

FND is real. Your symptoms are real. And you deserve support, not suspicion.

What is FND?

FND stands for Functional Neurological Disorder. It’s a condition where the nervous system isn’t functioning the way it should, which can affect how your brain and body communicate.

It can look and feel like many other neurological conditions — and that’s part of what makes it so confusing and isolating.

FND is not “all in your head.” It’s not attention-seeking. It’s not you being dramatic.

It’s a real condition that can affect your movement, speech, sensation, energy, and day-to-day life.

What can FND feel like?

Everyone’s experience is different, but FND symptoms can include:

• Tremors, tics, or jerky movements

• Weakness or paralysis in part of the body

• Seizure-like episodes (often called non-epileptic seizures)

• Changes in walking or balance

• Speech difficulties

• Numbness, tingling, or altered sensation

• Brain fog, fatigue, and sensory overwhelm

And one of the hardest parts? Symptoms can change day to day, sometimes hour to hour — which can make it even harder to explain to people who don’t live it.

The invisible part: being misunderstood

Many people with FND have been told things like:

• “Your tests are normal, so you’re fine.”

• “It’s probably stress.”

• “Try not to think about it.”

• “You just need to push through.”

But “normal tests” don’t mean “no illness.”

It often means the condition doesn’t show up in the ways people expect — and that can lead to a painful cycle of dismissal, self-doubt, and feeling alone.

If that’s been your experience, I’m so sorry. You deserved better.

Gentle reminders for FND days

Here are a few reminders I hope you can keep close — especially on the days that feel heavy:

• You don’t need to prove your pain to deserve care.

• Rest is not failure.

• Your body is doing its best with a nervous system that’s overwhelmed.

• You are not lazy. You are not broken.

• Small wins still count. Getting up, eating, showering, replying to one message — it all matters.

Where Huglets fit in (soft support, not a “fix”)

Huglets were created to offer comfort, validation, and a sense of being held — especially for people living with invisible illnesses.

For FND, our Huglet Fendri was designed as a gentle companion for the days when your body feels unpredictable and your nervous system feels like it’s doing its own thing.

Fendri isn’t here to “fix” you.

Fendri is here to remind you that you’re not alone — and that you deserve softness, even on the hardest days.

If you’re supporting someone with FND

If someone you love lives with FND, the most powerful thing you can offer is belief.

A few simple phrases can mean everything:

• “I believe you.”

• “I’m here.”

• “What would feel supportive right now?”

• “You don’t have to push through for me.”

You don’t need perfect words. You just need kindness.

A gentle closing

If you live with FND, I hope this post feels like a small exhale.

You are not making it up.

You are not “too much.”

You are navigating something real — and you deserve gentleness, understanding, and support.

If you’d like to meet Fendri, you can find them in the Huglets shop.

You are seen. You are worthy. And you are not alone.