Conversion Disorder was officially renamed Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (FND) in the DSM-5, which was published in May 2013.
🧠Why the Name Changed:
🔹 1. Historical Baggage of “Conversion”
The term “conversion” originated from Freudian psychoanalysis, implying that psychological distress was being 'converted' into physical symptoms (e.g., paralysis, seizures, blindness). This model was speculative and often lacked empirical support, yet it dominated clinical thinking for a century. Many patients felt invalidated or blamed by the implication that symptoms were "all in their head" or caused purely by unconscious psychological conflict.🔹 2. Advances in Neuroscience
Modern research (e.g., neuroimaging) has shown that FND symptoms are real and brain-based, even if they occur without structural brain damage.Functional MRI studies show altered activity in areas responsible for volition, agency, and emotion processing. This shifted the view from “psychogenic” to “functional” — meaning the software (functioning) is disrupted even if the hardware (brain structure) is intact.
🔹 3. Clinical Utility
The new DSM-5 diagnosis allows positive diagnostic signs (e.g., Hoover’s sign, tremor entrainment test) rather than relying on exclusion of organic causes. It emphasizes observable signs that the symptom is inconsistent with known neurological diseases, rather than assuming psychological origin.🔹 4. Improving Stigma & Patient Acceptance
The change to “Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder” or FND:
Reflects updated neuroscience understandingReduces stigma
Increases acceptance of the diagnosis among both patients and providers
Supports a biopsychosocial model rather than a purely psychogenic explanation
📘 Key Timeline
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| Pre-DSM-5 | Known as Conversion Disorder (DSM-IV) with a strong psychoanalytic framing |
| 2013 | DSM-5 renames it to Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder |
| Present | "Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)" is used broadly in clinical and research communities |
✍️ Summary
The renaming from Conversion Disorder to Functional Neurological Disorder in DSM-5 reflects a modern understanding of the condition as a brain-based functional disorder, rather than a purely psychological or “conversion” issue. The term change aims to validate patient experience, reduce stigma, and support more accurate, positive diagnosis and multidisciplinary treatment.
OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University)
- Dr. Jordan R. Anderson, DO: Based at OHSU, Dr. Anderson specializes in neuropsychiatry and has extensive experience in diagnosing and treating FND. This is one of the few dedicated FND practices in the region.(OHSU)
- Neurology & Brain Institute Clinics: OHSU’s Department of Neurology and Brain Institute offer comprehensive neurological care—including evaluations and therapies—for a wide range of neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions. While FND isn't explicitly listed among their subspecialty categories, their integrated care model may support FND referrals.(OHSU)
- ORCCAMIND (Oregon Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine in Neurological Disorders): This center does integrative medicine and research involving neurological disorders. While not FND-specific, its programs (e.g., mindfulness, yoga, integrative interventions) may be helpful as adjunctive support if coordinated with primary care providers.(OHSU)
1. Dr. Jordan Anderson, D.O. – OHSU (Portland)
- Specialty: Neuropsychiatry (intersection of neurology and psychiatry), with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating FND Jordan Anderson D.O. | Health care provider | OHSU
- Based at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), he is well-suited for outpatient management of FND, particularly where mental health intersects with neurological symptoms.
- Areas of interest
- Functional Neurological Disorders
- Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), aka Long COVID
2. re+active Functional Neurological Disorders Program (Portland area?)
- Functional Neurologic Disorders Program | Integrated outpatient treatment | Los Angeles
- An outpatient, integrated therapy program that serves adolescents (12+) and adults with FND.
- Offers a multidisciplinary approach: physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychology, yoga therapy, and more reactive therapy.
- Emphasizes mental health support and offers intensive outpatient formats — typically 3–5 days per week for a minimum of two weeks, making it a robust outpatient or partial hospitalization model reactive therapy.
3. ReACT FND Health – Telehealth Option (Oregon included)
- ReACT FND | Home
- Provides ReACT treatment via telehealth sessions with ReACT‑Certified psychologists, using a digital treatment platform.
- Oregon is among the states where telehealth services are available reactfnd.healthOregon Clinic.
- Ideal if outpatient in-person access is limited or if you prefer virtual care.
Providence Health & Services
- Providence operates a broad network of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, offering many behavioral health and neurology services.(Wikipedia, Providence)
- Their Behavioral Health Concierge and telehealth resources (such as Learn to Live, Talkspace) offer general mental health support and self-guided programs, but they don’t seem to include specialized FND or neuropsychiatry offerings.(Providence Health Plan)
Support Groups
USA Peer Support Group
FND Hope US Virtual FND Peer Support Group is for individuals of all ages with FND, as well as families, friends, and care partners of those with FND. Our FND Canada friends are also welcome to join!
Please register to join on the link below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpc-GgqD4tG9QsGEUcXGzUALq9vy9DAFCW
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Tools & Resources
Books:
Overcoming Functional Neurological Symptoms: A 5 Areas Approach by Carson & Stone – CBT-based and highly adaptable to group Overcoming Functional Neurological Symptoms: A Five Areas Approach: 9781444138344: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com
A Clinician's Guide to Functional Neurological Disorder: A Practical Neuropsychological Approach
Aimed at clinicians and neuropsychologists, this guide introduces the “Pressure Cooker Model”—a unified, neuropsychologically grounded framework for understanding and treating FND. It's enriched with case studies and practical tools.Amazon+8Amazon+8Wikipedia+8Barnes & Noble+1
Fnd Stories: Personal and Professional Experiences of Functional Neurological Disorder
Offers first-hand narratives and reflections from both patients and professionals living with or working on FND.
FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER: TREATING OF FUNCTIONAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER MADE EASY - Kindle edition by HIGGINS, DR. DEAN. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Functional Neurological Disorder: Treating of Functional Neurological Disorder Made Easy
Designed as an accessible, step‑by‑step approach to managing FND—suitable for those seeking clarity, structure, and even a bit of levity in understanding the condition.
Amazon.com: A Patient’s Workbook for Functional Neurological Disorder: 9781032312835: van der Hulst, Egberdina-Józefa: Books.jpg)
Managing Functional Neurological Disorder
A comprehensive guide outlining step-by-step CBT and related strategies to manage FND symptoms.Amazon
Is It All in Your Head?: True Stories of Imaginary Illness - Kindle edition by O'Sullivan, Suzanne. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
It’s All in Your Head: True Stories of Imaginary Illness by Suzanne O’SullivanExplores psychosomatic illnesses—including FND—through evocative patient stories and compassionate perspective.Amazon+8Wikipedia+8Routledge+8
Functional Neurological Disorder: Treating of Functional Neurological Disorder Made Easy
Designed as an accessible, step‑by‑step approach to managing FND—suitable for those seeking clarity, structure, and even a bit of levity in understanding the condition.
Additional Recommended Reads (Amazon & Beyond)
A Patient’s Workbook for Functional Neurological Disorder
Geared toward patients and caregivers, this workbook uses the Pressure Cooker Model to help understand triggers, emotional/physical symptoms, and includes online resources.Routledge+1
Geared toward patients and caregivers, this workbook uses the Pressure Cooker Model to help understand triggers, emotional/physical symptoms, and includes online resources.Routledge+1
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Managing Functional Neurological Disorder
A comprehensive guide outlining step-by-step CBT and related strategies to manage FND symptoms.Amazon
Is It All in Your Head?: True Stories of Imaginary Illness - Kindle edition by O'Sullivan, Suzanne. Health, Fitness & Dieting Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
It’s All in Your Head: True Stories of Imaginary Illness by Suzanne O’Sullivan
Explain Pain by Butler & Moseley – Core psychoeducation for groups Explain Pain: Dr. David Butler, G. Lorimer Moseley: 9780987342669: Amazon.com: Books
Videos:
YouTube channels like FND Hope, Neurosymptoms.org, and Physio Network often have visual content for patientsPrintable Handouts:
neurosymptoms.org has patient-friendly diagrams
- Get Self Help UK and Therapistaid for DBT/CBT visuals
🔹 Where to Find Sample Group Curricula
- ResearchGate and PubMed: Search terms like “FND group therapy,” “conversion disorder CBT group,” or “PNES DBT group.”
- Specialty Clinics: Look into FND programs at Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and UCSF—they often run groups and may publish outlines.
- Facebook or Google Groups for clinicians treating FND – some share treatment plans.
- Psych forums or PESI/CE websites: Occasionally clinicians share protocols or slides from their own developed groups.
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