Functional Movement Disorder Caused by Stress?

You sound like a survivor, SusanEllen66 !

I am currently seeing a neurologist because of tremors in my left hand that have now gone to my right as well. He has said about FMD due to trauma - but I don't understand why this would be the case.

About two months ago I had a thunderclap headache - I didn't think much of it, but the day after my left hand had a very slight tremor, which then became much more significant. At the time, no major trauma had happened, I wasn't experiencing anything very stressful - and in general if I do feel stressed or have any issues I know how to address this - talk to someone, get out in nature, keep a good sleep routine, etc.

So the FMD idea doesn't make sense to me at all...

During a CT angiograph two small aneursyms were found - apparently nothing to worry about but I've been referred to a neurosurgeon.

I feel like everything is always put down to stress (particularly as I do have clinical depression and generalised anxiety disorder (both very well controlled).

Would be interested in any thoughts on any of this...I'm 50 BTW

Boy. While reading this thread my heart kept swelling up with compassion for each and every one of you. I am turning 74 in September and feeling similar feelings; stress being the main instigator. No apologies (in my opinion) for sharing your story here...as I just told a dear friend in an email, it is important as we age to continue reaching out to one another at this vulnerable time in our lives. The tendency is to isolate as we don't want to "be a bother". We need a safe place to vent and what better place to vent on a site, such as the Mayo Clinic, to do so. Every "vent" is necessary and, whether you realize it at the time or not, one of those vents might just help a poor struggling elderly soul out there who is struggling with the same feelings but has no one at all to lean on. So, vent-away!! My beloved cousin who has early dementia is one of those vulnerable people. She lives in a cute tiny home on her daughter's property, pays rent, husband (high school boyfriend) of 52 years passed and she is a strong Christian. I said one day to her on the phone, "I feel as if I have become irrelevant to some of my family members"...it was as if she had NEVER actually heard someone admit such a thing before and her voice was, as if, applauding my statement and said, "I KNOW exactly how you feel!! I would have NEVER said that out loud though. Thank you so much for saying that!!" Anyway, it opened the conversation for nothing more than to vent, it doesn't change much of anything, but we give one another a rare and raw moment of expressing what is on our hearts. So, thanks to you, Mayo Clinic, for giving us that space to feel and say what is on our mind and in our hearts. We are, on the other hand, in a great place (my opinion) to practice being in the moment (I am more aware of every single step I take as I am living alone and working on this 5 acres which I am the caretaker of, and having had several bad falls and trips to ER as I've hit my head and on Eliquis-ugh-which can turn into a brain bleed quite quickly), I absolute NEED to be so careful. I am so tired of going to ER! Being in the moment and lucky to have mother-nature to turn to, I am always living in a state of awareness unless I am in deep sleep (which I love!). Anyway. Enough for now. Wishing you all the very best. I learned a lot this morning reading this particular thread, so thank you. As a caregiver it is good to know more about these diagnosis; it's very important and useful. Thanks to all...

It’s my understanding that functional illnesses or conditions are not necessarily due to stress. It can be from faulty wiring in our nerves or some chemical reaction that is difficult to pinpoint. I recall two different physiotherapists describe how pain gets processed in our bodies. That was when I first started to understand how the brain can cause pain in ways it’s difficult to understand. We always show compassion to my dad during his episodes. We used to call 911 a lot. He’s been taken to the hospital more than a few times. It took a while to learn how he can take meds and work his way through it. He still goes to ER but not as often.

I couldn't agree more 🙂

Thanks Celia - I think my neurologist is a bit behind in research unfortunately. He mentioned that this will be only temporary, but from my reading it may not be.

I"m so grateful to have found this group 🙂

I tend to ask myself if every symptom I have is functional in nature. I believe in it that much. Both of my parents have it, so I’m predisposed. I only hope it that’s what I have I’ll get relief eventually.

And, yes, this is a great group!

I appreciate all these posts. I had a craniotomy 11 years with a seizure risk since. I have recently begun researching FMD and FND for myself. I have ptsd too. Stress is a factor. I was stuttering by age 3 so I am looking back at that as well. I do believe we all have at least some compacity to heal ourselves. Neuroplasticity as we as training our brain and nervous not to react to everything and everyone is vital.