Interdisciplinary Functional Neurological Disorder Treatment Program

UAB Medicine’s Interdisciplinary Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Treatment Program cares for adults and children with FND, a condition in which altered communication between the brain and the body causes the body to function abnormally. It can cause seizure-like symptoms, shaking, paralysis, difficulty walking, and other neurological issues.

Once our program confirms the FND diagnosis, a psychologist conducts an initial evaluation and works with patients to develop a plan to retrain their body’s function and regain control of their lives using principles of Retraining and Control Therapy (ReACT). Depending on the symptoms, they may also be referred to physical, occupational, or speech therapists, who further personalize the retraining plan. Consultations with other specialties are scheduled as needed, such as psychiatry for medication management.

As treatment progresses, it may include a focus on other issues related to FND, such as sleep, diet, and physical activity. The program’s goal is to provide whole-body care, empower patients to retrain and control their FND symptoms, and help them return to their normal daily activities.

The care plan is carried out in several ways, including:

• Education: An essential part of treatment is understanding what FND is, why it occurs, and that symptoms are an automatic response, all of which increase acceptance of the treatment.

• Retraining the automatic response: Psychologists and physical/occupational/speech therapists help patients with FND develop opposing responses to their symptoms to retrain the involuntary FND symptoms, and patients are empowered to manage their symptoms independently.

• Returning to previous activities: Plans are developed to help patients with FND return to their previous activities and practice the opposing response plan created in treatment.

About the care team

UAB Medicine’s outpatient Interdisciplinary FND Treatment Program team includes licensed psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and a clinic coordinator. Psychologists conduct the initial evaluation and make the initial retraining plan. They then see patients weekly to continue working to retrain symptoms, help them return to daily activities, and address other aspects of daily life affected by FND.

If a referral to outpatient rehabilitation services is needed, physical therapists may help retrain physical symptoms and provide exercises to work on at home, and speech pathologists focus on symptoms related to speech, language, and swallowing. Occupational therapists may help patients retrain their physical or cognitive symptoms and regain skills related to the daily activities of living, such as cooking, grooming, and dressing.

Appointments

A documented diagnosis of FND is required for treatment by UAB’s outpatient FND Treatment Program. For more information, please call 205-996-6425. Records and referrals may be faxed to 205-975-6559.

Learn more about UAB Outpatient Rehabilitation Services.

Care Providers

Aaron Fobian, PhD Psychology Melissa Greenfield, PsyD Psychology Amy Knight, PhD Neurology, Neuropsychology Stephanie Mueller, PhD Psychiatry

Videos

What is FND or Functional Neurological Disorder?

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UAB’s Interdisciplinary Functional Neurological Disorder FND Program

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