Functional Neurological Disorder Program

What is FND?

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is used to describe neurologic symptoms incompatible with an established medical illness. Many terms have been used to describe FND, from hysteria to conversion disorder. As knowledge of this condition has increased, it is now understood that FND stems from biological, environmental and psychological vulnerabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions: Handout on Functional Neurological Disorder

Please click here for more information and eligibility criteria for becoming a patient in our clinic.

If high school age or younger, please call 650.723.5511

Our Services

The Functional Neurological Disorder Program in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford treats patients suffering from FND with a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach.

Consultation Clinic: Clients receive a clinical evaluation resulting in an individualized treatment plan
Therapy Groups: Virtual and in-person, designed specifically for clients with FND
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Functional Neurological Disorders (DBT4FND)
Individual Psychotherapy: Select opportunity for time-limited services

Patients completing time-limited FND treatment at Stanford or unable to participate with on-site therapy will receive treatment plans designed around the local resources available to the client.

For patients under the age of 18, please visit the Pediatric Functional Neurological Disorder Clinic page.

Resources and Helpful Information

This website and its contents are designed for informational purposes only and must not be substituted for professional care.

Educational animation for patients and families showing how the brain works in FND and the effects of treatment

(4 minutes)

Stanford Health Library: Functional Neurologic Disorder with Drs. Lockman and Bullock

(53 minutes)

How to deliver the diagnosis of FND and treatment options utilizing the neuroscience of FND

(20 minutes)

Understanding Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures with Dr. Fisher

(3 minutes)

Psychogenic Seizures: What are They, How Can They be Diagnosed and Treated? with Drs. Fisher, Barry, and Kanner

(60 minutes)

FNDhope.org Facebook live event with Drs. Bullock and Bajestan

Watch the video (40 minutes)

Websites Moderated by Healthcare Professionals

Neurosymptoms.org: Web-based guide for patients with printable PDF fact sheets
Functional Neurologic Disorder Society: Includes educational webinars, annual meetings and other resources for clients and professionals
Non-epileptic Attacks: Website created by healthcare professionals with information on non-epileptic seizures
Information on psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), downloadable patient info, state-by-state treatment referral sites and events

FND Network, Australia: Educational videos to help patients with FND understand their condition

We include these resources for your information, but did not create the content.
We encourage you to please bring any questions or concerns to your provider.

Books

Overcoming Functional Neurological Symptoms: A Five Areas Approach by Christopher Williams, Alan Carson, Sharon Smith, Michael Sharpe, Jonathan Cavanagh, Catriona Kent
Psychogenic Non-epileptic Seizures: A Guide by Lorna Myers
Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Lorna Myers, who is donating the royalties of her book, Epilepsy Alliance America has established a scholarship program for students with a diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures(PNES). The American Epilepsy Alliance will award a select number of scholarships to students with a diagnosis of PNES. More Information
In Our Words: Personal Accounts of Living with Non-Epileptic Seizures by Marcus Reuber, Gregg Rawlings and Steven Schachter

Companion set to share with your therapist

Taking Control of Your Seizures: Workbook (Treatments That Work) by Joel Reiter, Donna Andrews, Charlotte Reiter and Curt LaFrance, Jr.
Treating Non-epileptic Seizures: Therapist Guide (Treatments That Work) by W. Curt LaFrance, Jr. and Jeffrey Peter Wincze

We include these resources for your information, but did not create the content.
We encourage you to please bring any questions or concerns to your provider.

Collaborative Programs Available for Referral

Stanford Outpatient Neurologic Rehabilitation Program

Physical and occupational therapists utilize a therapy protocol designed specifically for functional movement disorders and paralysis. Speech therapy is also available. For more information, call 650-725-5106 or visit the Outpatient Neurologic Rehabilitation Program page.

La Selva Residential and Day Programs for FND

A collaboration with Stanford, the FND Day Program is a specialized treatment track within La Selva's state-of-the-art residential, partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). All programs require a diagnosis of FND or conversion disorder by a neurologist with supportive documentation. For more information on residential admissions, call 650-323-1401. For PHP/IOP, call 650-617-8349. Click here for La Selva Frequently Asked Questions.

Stanford Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences

Stanford Pain Management Center

Out of State Resources

List of referral sites for FND from FND Hope

List of referral sites for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) by state

Massachusetts General Hospital

Mayo Clinic

Northwest Regional Epilepsy Group

Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University

The Recovery Project, Livonia Michigan

Functional Neurological Disorders Program
University of Colorado, Neurosciences Center

We include these resources for your information, but do not endorse the content of external websites or programs.
We encourage you to please bring any questions or concerns to your provider.

Patients are offered an opportunity to participate in national and international studies investigating FND diagnosis and treatment throughout the process of evaluation and treatment.

Research Opportunity

Do you want to better understand what causes non-epileptic seizures? The Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the San Francisco VA Medical Center is currently conducting a study in this area.

WHO: People diagnosed psychogenic non-epileptic seizures or PNES without concomitant epileptic seizures between 18 – 60 years of age who have time to help research.

WHAT: Participation involves a short screening for eligibility on the phone, an interview and questionnaires regarding your mood and your lifestyle, and a MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) exam.

WHERE: At the Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases at the San Francisco VA Medical Center. There will be 1-2 visits over about 1-3 weeks.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Please call Susanne Mueller, M.D., at (415) 766-1744

Educational Videos

Our team created the two educational videos below. In these videos, we used clinical neuroscience in discussing the diagnosis of FND and treatment options. We use the feedback questionnaires in the videos to improve our educational material.

Educational animation for patients and families showing how the brain works in FND and the effects of treatment

(4 minutes)

How to deliver the diagnosis of FND and treatment options utilizing the neuroscience of FND

(20 minutes)

Faculty

Clinical Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

John and Terry Levin Family Professor of Medicine and Professor, by courtesy, of Emergency Medicine and of Medicine

Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (General Psychiatry and Psychology - Adult) and, by courtesy, of Neurology

Jack, Lulu and Sam Willson Professor of Medicine

Drs. Lockman (left) and Bajestan (right) rehearsing an educational FND video

Dr. Kim Bullock presenting a poster at FND Conference in Scotland

Craig Forte, Dr. Sepideh Bajestan and Dr. Juliana Lockman, after leading an FND therapy group.

Dr. Kim Bullock demonstrating virtual reality for FND to Dr. Jon Stone, visiting professor from Edinburgh.