A free guide for patients, families and health professionals.

Functional seizures can be frightening, confusing and difficult to explain—especially when different people offer different explanations.

This free guide provides clear, compassionate and evidence-informed information about what functional seizures are, what may be happening in the nervous system and what can support safety and recovery.

What is included in the guide?

Inside the 17-page guide, you’ll find:

• A plain-language explanation of functional seizures
• The different names you may hear for the condition
• Examples of what functional seizures can look like
• An explanation of increased, reduced and frozen movement
• Information about breathing, heart rate and nervous-system arousal
• Key differences between functional seizures and epilepsy
• Answers to common questions about awareness, testing and driving
• An explanation of why functional seizures can occur and recur
• Vulnerability factors and nervous-system shifts
• Treatment and multidisciplinary support
• Warning signs and possible early-response strategies
• Practical guidance for before, during and after an episode
• Information about when to seek medical care
• Guidance for developing a functional-seizure management plan
• Practical information for families, partners and carers
• A glossary and links to further resources.

Enter your details below to receive Understanding Functional Seizures: A Guide for Patients and Families.

Who is this guide for?

People living with functional seizures

Use the guide to better understand your diagnosis, recognise possible warning signs and learn about treatment and recovery.

Families, partners and support people

Learn how to respond calmly and safely during an episode, provide support afterwards and understand what the person may be experiencing.

Clinicians and health professionals

Use the guide to support clear diagnostic communication, consistent multidisciplinary messaging and patient and family education.

Practical information you can return to

You do not need to understand everything at once.

The guide is designed so you can:

• Read it at your own pace
• Return to particular sections when needed
• Share it with family members and supporters
• Use it to begin conversations with your treating team
• Include it in patient or clinician education.

This guide was created by Dr Daniella Siciliano and Elizabeth Pearson, co-founders of Let’s Talk FND.

Let’s Talk FND provides clear, compassionate and evidence-informed education for people living with FND, their families and the health professionals supporting them.