What is the Recommended Treatment in Australia for FND?
Jun 24, 2025
The best treatment for FND follows a biopsychosocial and multidisciplinary approach. This means your care is personalised and may include a team of health professionals who each support a different part of your recovery.
1. A Clear Diagnosis and Explanation
A neurologist usually makes the diagnosis based on positive signs (e.g. symptoms that change with attention or distraction).
Understanding your diagnosis is a powerful first step. When you know what FND is (and isn’t), it helps reduce fear and worry.
2. Multidisciplinary Team-Based Care
Multidisciplinary team-based care means that a group of different health professionals work together to support your recovery from all angles – physical, emotional, psychological, and social. Each professional has a specific role, and by combining their expertise, they help you regain function and live well with FND.
Here is an overview of who may be on your care team and what they do:
ROLE IN YOUR CARE |
RESPONSIBILITIES |
|---|---|
| Neurologist | Confirms the diagnosis using positive signs (not exclusion), explains FND clearly, addresses patient concerns, and introduces early treatment strategies such as basic self-management or physiotherapy. Also triages to other specialists. |
|
GP (General Practitioner) |
Plays a long-term role in supporting patients emotionally and medically, coordinates access to other services, educates patients about their diagnosis, and helps them stay engaged in their recovery journey. Especially important in areas with limited specialist access. |
|
Physiotherapist |
Focuses on movement retraining using goal-based strategies and distraction techniques. Helps identify symptom patterns, educates about activity pacing, and builds self-management skills. Encourages functional improvements over impairment focus. |
|
Occupational Therapist |
Helps you gradually return to meaningful daily activities. They support you in managing fatigue, building routines, using sensory strategies, and feeling more confident at work, home or school. Their goal is to help you feel capable and independent in your everyday life. |
|
Speech Pathologist |
Supports you with any speech, voice, or swallowing difficulties that may be part of FND. They work with you to gently restore communication skills, manage fatigue with talking, and build confidence in expressing yourself. |
|
Psychologist |
Uses psychological therapies (especially CBT) to help reduce FND symptoms by addressing underlying thought patterns, emotional processing, and behaviours. Also screens and treats comorbid conditions such as anxiety and PTSD. |
|
Psychiatrist |
Works alongside your other healthcare professionals to diagnose and support any mental health conditions (like anxiety, depression, or past trauma) that may be contributing to your FND symptoms. They may use talk therapy, medication, or both, tailored to your needs. |
|
Social Worker / Nurse |
These team members help you navigate practical life challenges. They provide emotional support, explain your condition in everyday terms, help connect you to supports like NDIS or Centrelink, and ensure your care plan works in real life—especially when you're feeling overwhelmed. |
Even though a full multidisciplinary team is often suggested for managing FND, the whole-person approach means that not every discipline is needed for every person. Depending on your specific symptoms, their severity, and how long they’ve been present, some types of support will be more helpful than others. The goal is to focus on the areas that will make the biggest difference for their wellbeing and recovery, rather than involving everyone all at once. This way, the care feels manageable and truly tailored to your needs.
3. Personalised, Active Treatment
Treatment is tailored to your symptoms and situation.
You’ll set goals and work on physical and emotional strategies to feel more in control of your symptoms and recovery.
You are a key part of your care team! Working together with your specialists is essential in recovering from FND.
4. Education & Self-Management
Learning about FND and how to manage symptoms is essential.
You may use apps or websites, attend therapy, or join support groups.
Relapses can happen, but with tools and planning, you can handle them.
Remember:
FND is real. FND is treatable. And recovery is possible.
Many people with FND improve, especially when they get the right diagnosis and a supportive team. You're not alone, and there are resources to help you every step of the way.
Helpful Resources
Websites:
- Neurosymptoms.org – Reliable information about FND and its symptoms.
- FND Australia Support Services – Offers peer support, education programs, and low-cost therapy options.
- FND Hope – International FND education and advocacy network.
- Head Injury Symptoms – Information about mild head injury and concussion.
Apps:
- FND Aus App – Free app for tracking symptoms and managing care.
- Neurosymptoms FND Guide – Mobile version of the website with guides and tips.
- Calm, Headspace, and Smiling Mind – Mindfulness and relaxation apps to support emotional well-being.
Talk to your GP, Neurologist or specialist about which supports might be best for you.
#FND #FunctionalNeurologicalDisorder #FNDRecovery #MultidisciplinaryCare #FNDResources #FNDTreatmentAustralia
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