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A Historical Perspective on Functional Neurological Disorder

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Functional Movement Disorder

Part of the book series: Current Clinical Neurology ((CCNEU))

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Abstract

Functional neurological disorder (FND) is the latest name for the ancient malady at the brain–mind intersection previously known as ‘hysteria’. Though never an official term, ‘FND’ has come to dominate the field, and perhaps best captures the very substantial recent changes in the conceptualisation of the disorder. Early leaders in both neurology and psychiatry were fascinated by hysteria, but for much of the 20th century it was neglected by both disciplines and became highly stigmatised, with a psychiatric foundation that was poorly supported and widespread suspicions of feigning. In DSM-5, the need for a psychological formulation and all mention of feigning were removed from the diagnostic criteria, and emphasis was placed on neurological signs in guiding the diagnosis. Accompanied by its new terminology, this neurological shift has proven very popular, and FND is experiencing a transformation in public awareness and acceptability. Potential risks to this shift are discussed, however, and an appreciation of both neurological signs and psychiatric formulation are likely to remain important in the assessment and management of this neuropsychiatric disorder.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia

    Richard A. A. Kanaan

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  1. Richard A. A. Kanaan
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Correspondence to Richard A. A. Kanaan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Movement Disorder Specialist, Saratoga Hospital Medical Group, Saratoga Springs, NY, USA

    Kathrin LaFaver

  2. Department of Neurology, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Carine W. Maurer

  3. Neuropsychiatry Research and Education Group, Institute of Psychiatry Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK

    Timothy R. Nicholson

  4. Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    David L. Perez

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Kanaan, R.A.A. (2022). A Historical Perspective on Functional Neurological Disorder. In: LaFaver, K., Maurer, C.W., Nicholson, T.R., Perez, D.L. (eds) Functional Movement Disorder. Current Clinical Neurology. Humana, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86495-8_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86495-8_1

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-86494-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-86495-8

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