It is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood... It is much more common than it seems.

Neurological disorders occur when the nervous system, which allows the brain to communicate with the body, malfunctions. In functional neurological disorders, signals are not processed correctly, causing problems with basic functions such as movement, speech, thinking and digestion.

Patients can sometimes experience symptoms such as "brain fog," difficulty finding words, chronic pain and extreme fatigue. If left untreated, these symptoms can last for years, and some people may need to use a wheelchair for most of their lives.

Functional neurological disorders affect between 10 and 22 out of 100,000 people each year, a rate higher than even better-known diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the disease is often under-recognized by healthcare professionals, which can delay proper diagnosis and treatment.

Although the disease can affect people of all ages and genders, it is more common in women and young people. In the patient population, where women make up about two-thirds, this gender difference decreases with age.

Although the causes of FND are not fully understood, it is thought that psychological factors such as genetic predisposition, traumatic life experiences, anxiety and depression may be effective. However, not every patient has a history of severe stress or trauma.

In untreated cases, the disease may progress or the symptoms may remain constant. Personalized rehabilitation programs started at an early stage can provide significant improvement for patients. Treatment is usually carried out by a multidisciplinary team consisting of physiotherapists, speech therapists, psychologists and doctors.

Since functional neurological disorder has long been understood through the concept of "hysteria", it also carries negative effects such as frivolity and stigmatization towards female patients. However, in modern medicine, this disease is accepted as a legitimate neurological condition and sexist prejudices are fought against.

Awareness, research, and treatment for the disease have improved tremendously in recent years, and patient-focused organizations and support networks are actively working to improve healthcare systems, research, and education.