Surprisingly Quick Strategies to Improve Life with Functional Neurological Disorder
When I first started getting symptoms, I had periods of dissociative seizures, inability to walk, talk or function properly. I needed to improve my daily functioning, I needed to manage my symptoms, therefore, I needed strategies for living with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). Over the years, I discovered what worked and I am sharing them with you.
I was about 12 or 13, when I first started getting symptoms, I had to leave school and do home schooling. At that time, I was struggling to even manage 5 hours of schoolwork per week!! Initially, I had to learn to accept what my body was able to do and develop a routine to accomplish this goal. Eventually, I grew stronger and was able to increase my hours and decrease my symptoms.
How?? By looking at daily life more as a marathon then a sprint. If I did smaller things every day, I was able to sustain a functioning life, whereas if I tried to do too much, I ended up with a flare up. I had to learn my boundaries and stick to it. I still use these strategies for living with FND and it is what I am showing my daughter to help her with her FND journey too.
4 Key Strategies for living with FND
1
Accept the diagnosis and be patient
True healing did not progress until I accepted how my body works. Yes, FND changed my life, but FND does not define me, but it is a part of who I am.
2
Know you, know your capabilities and create your own success scale
This can be hard, we want to do it all, but our bodies say “Nope… not at this moment” without a second thought or warning. Be realistic in your own expectations and show yourself some compassion.
3
Plan your day/week – prioritize what is important and do not try to multitask
What is 1 – 3 things that you need/want to accomplish? Our minds can sidetrack us to do other things, focus on the priority so when the day is over, you feel accomplished. Include self-care in your day.
4
Set boundaries and stick to it
Let your “no, mean no” – including to yourself! If it is a “good day”, do not try to “catch up” or do too many extra things – this will often result in needing more time to recuperate which puts you behind.
We have what appears to be an endless list of to-dos in our day or week.
- Working/schooling
- Parenting/caring
- Cleaning, organizing & decluttering
- Meal planning, shopping, cooking
- Budgeting and bill paying
- Socializing, relaxing and having fun
- Exercising & healthy lifestyle
It is exhausting, it is exhausting reading about it never mind actually doing it!
The aim of having a strategy (whether you have FND, chronic illness/pain or not) is to be able to do what is needed AND sustain enough energy that you can go to bed at night without falling into it… And… be able to get up the next day! Obviously, there are good days and bad days, that is part of life, but we need to look at our day/week holistically and balance these out to have a functioning day.
Please note: this is what I have found beneficial, everyone’s experience with FND is unique, therefore, seek advice from your medical practitioner.
