Psychological therapy for functional neurological disorder: Examining impact on dissociation, psychological distress and general functioning

This study explored the dissociative profile of patients with functional neurological disorder (FND) and evaluated whether individual psychological therapy improved dissociative symptoms, psychological distress and general functioning.

Article Abstract

“Functional neurological disorder (FND) represents a broad group of motor and sensory clinical symptoms which cannot be explained by other neurological diagnoses. Dissociation is considered a key mechanism in their development and maintenance. Despite psychological therapy being the recommended choice of treatment for FND, evidence for its effectiveness is in its infancy. This study explored the dissociative profile of forty-seven patients with FND and evaluated whether individual psychological therapy improved dissociative symptoms, psychological distress and general functioning among twenty-five adults with FND. Patients completed the Multiscale Dissociation Inventory, the EuroQol five-dimensional descriptive system, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Our sample showed high levels of disengagement, depersonalization and memory disturbance at baseline. Treatment was associated with significant improvements in general functioning, and symptoms of dissociation and anxiety. Improvements in dissociative experiences were found to be possibly due to reduction in anxiety. Improvements in depression were the strongest predictor of improvements in general functioning. Limitations and areas for further research are discussed.

KEYWORDS: Functional neurological disorder, functional seizures, dissociation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, individual therapy, general functioning, anxiety, depression”

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Esteban-Serna, C., Loewenberger, A., Pick, S., & Cope, S. R. (2024). Psychological therapy for functional neurological disorder: Examining impact on dissociation, psychological distress and general functioning. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, Latest Articles, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2024.2356591