Functional neurological disorder: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Seek emergency help for:

   • New facial drooping, one-sided weakness, speech difficulty, or sudden vision loss
   • A sudden, unusually severe headache
   • A first seizure-like episode or a clearly different type of episode
   • An episode lasting more than five minutes, repeated episodes without recovery, serious injury, or breathing difficulty
   • Chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness without prompt recovery
   • Immediate risk of self-harm or suicide

   These symptoms can have causes that need rapid assessment, even if you already have FND.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a new severe headache unlike any they have had before
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange routine medical follow-up if established symptoms are becoming more frequent, causing falls, limiting eating or drinking, or preventing normal activities.

   You should also seek review for new symptoms, medication side effects, worsening mood, or uncertainty about how to follow your treatment plan.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Functional neurological disorder. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.