Netzwerk FNSFunctional Neurological Disorders · patient network

Patient-led · evidence-oriented

Reliable information onFunctional
Neurological
Disorders.

Netzwerk FNS is a patient-led, evidence-oriented network for people affected by Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) in Germany. Our aim is simple: to make trustworthy, science-based information and specialist points of contact easier to find.

What is FND?

Understanding FND

A real condition – the “software”, not the “hardware”.

In FND the nervous system’s functioning is disrupted, even though its structure is intact. The symptoms are real and involuntary. FND is diagnosed positively through clinical signs, and it is, in principle, treatable and reversible.

Topics at a glance

Find your way in.

Causes & diagnosis

Causes & diagnosis

How FND is identified – the positive diagnosis through typical signs, and where it comes from.

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Treatment: what really helps

Treatment: what really helps

Physiotherapy, psychotherapy, speech & occupational therapy and rehab – well-studied building blocks.

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Physio, OT & speech therapy

Physio, OT & speech therapy

Three therapies, one principle: re-establishing automatic patterns – including functional swallowing.

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Dissociation

Dissociation

From everyday to dissociative seizures – and a trauma need not be behind it.

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What to do during a seizure

What to do during a seizure

First aid for functional seizures: stay calm, keep safe, stay – and when the emergency call counts.

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Prognosis

Prognosis

“Will it get better?” Not a fixed fate, not a one-way street – what influences the course.

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The Spiral

The Spiral

When “we found nothing” becomes a cycle of disappointment and ever more searching.

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Aids – a balancing act

Aids – a balancing act

Wheelchair, splint, neck collar: as much as necessary, as little as possible.

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Rights, support & participation

Rights, support & participation

Disability status and degree, care level, work and advice services.

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Ableism

Ableism

What the term captures, why it matters – and where the accusation goes too far.

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When illness also gives something

When illness also gives something

Secondary gain and identity – explained without blame, and what really heals.

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Acceptance

Acceptance

Why accepting is not giving up, where acceptance heals – and where it tips over.

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Articles, studies & sources

Selected, trustworthy resources.

Regularly selected links to expert articles, studies, videos and helpful sources. All come from clinics, professional societies or reputable media.

Reference

neurosymptoms.org – the leading patient resource (Prof. Jon Stone)

Comprehensive, evidence-based information on FND, also available in German.

Advisory board

Publications by PD Dr Birgitta Metternich (FreiDok)

Scientific work by our advisory board on functional cognitive disorder and dissociative seizures – a complete, continuously updated list.

Society

FND Society – international professional society

Research, education and patient-facing resources on Functional Neurological Disorder.

Videos & podcasts – for patients & families

Accessible talks and episodes on FND – to listen to and watch. (Most are in German.)

VideoDeutsche Hirnstiftung: answers to common questionsProf. Frank Erbguth answers the most common questions about FND. (in German)▶ Watch →VideoHirnstiftung: “What can be done?”In-depth expert discussion (approx. 70 min). (in German)▶ Watch →Explainer“Why does Tülay twitch?”Short animated explainer (University of Lübeck). (in German)▶ Watch →Science Slam“Of a brain that unlearned walking”Award-winning talk by Christina Bolte – FND explained clearly. (in German)▶ Watch →TalksEssen Patient Forum “Functional Disorders”Patient-friendly talks (incl. PD Dr Popkirov). (in German)▶ Watch →

Our advisory board

Expertise that guides us.

Gait analysis & physiotherapy

Kirsten Götz-Neumann

Gehen verstehen® · President of the Observational Gait Instructor Group (O.G.I.G.)

Internationally recognised gait-analysis expert; her book “Gehen verstehen” (Thieme) is regarded as a standard work. Functional gait disorders are among the most common presentations of FND – a thorough gait analysis is especially valuable here.

gehen-verstehen.de ↗
Clinical neuropsychology

PD Dr Birgitta Metternich

University Hospital Freiburg · Epilepsy Center · Clinical neuropsychologist (GNP)

Focus on functional cognitive disorder, on which she has published and developed a therapy manual; at the Epilepsy Center also experience with dissociative (functional) seizures.

Uniklinik Freiburg ↗Publications (FreiDok) ↗
Psychotherapy

Celina Badenius

Psychological psychotherapist · Buxtehude · focus on FND

Psychotherapy practice with an explicit treatment focus on Functional Neurological Disorders – still rare, and especially valuable for those seeking an experienced point of contact.

praxis-badenius.de ↗In the directory ↗
Occupational therapy

Birgit Rauchfuß

Praxis für Ergotherapie · Recklinghausen (NRW) · Bachelor of Health in OT

Brings the occupational-therapy perspective – especially valuable in FND, because it helps people regain everyday life, activity and participation step by step.

ergotherapie-rauchfuss.de ↗In the directory ↗

The advisory board grows step by step. Professionals who would like to support us occasionally and on request are warmly invited to get in touch.

What we do

Built by people affected – close to clinical practice.

Netzwerk FNS is run by people living with FND, in close cooperation with clinicians. We provide reliable, evidence-based information, maintain a growing directory of FND-experienced clinics, and help connect people affected, their families, and professionals. Germany is still under-served when it comes to accessible FND information – and we would like to change that.