FND, fatigue and pacing

Fatigue with FND is often more than “being tired”. Cognitive load, pain, seizures, sleep disruption and nervous-system effort can all drain capacity. This sheet explains pacing in everyday language.

What people often notice

Crash after a busy day or social event (delayed payback)
Brain fog when multitasking or under fluorescent lights/noise
Needing longer recovery after appointments or travel
Looking “OK” while feeling exhausted inside

Boom-and-bust vs pacing

Boom-and-bust

Push hard on a good day
Crash for days after
Guilt → push harder again
Unpredictable for work/school

Pacing idea

Steady, planned activity
Breaks before the crash
Stop while you still have a little left
Adjust plans on flare days without shame

Practical starting points

Pick 1–2 priorities per day. Schedule rest like an appointment. Reduce unnecessary decisions. Protect sleep. Tell one trusted person your pacing plan so they can support it rather than push past it.

Ask rehab teams about graded activity appropriate for FND (not one-size-fits-all)
Track what triggers crashes for a week — patterns help appointments

Safety first

If symptoms are new, sudden, severe, stroke-like, a first seizure, chest pain, or very different from your usual pattern, call 999 or use NHS 111. Do not assume it is “just FND”.