On this page
How it can feel
- Repeated checking of the body.
- Relief after a normal test that lasts only hours.
- Hours lost to symptom research.
- Difficulty trusting good days.
Day to day
- Clinic letters become objects of fear and hope.
- Relationships strain under constant threat talk.
- Avoidance or over-seeking of medical care — both common.
How this can relate to FND
Normal tests plus severe symptoms create a perfect storm for health anxiety. Addressing it is compassionate medicine, not an accusation.
What can help
- A written explanation of FND you can re-read on hard days.
- Agreed plans for when to seek care vs when to use coping strategies.
- Therapy for health anxiety where it dominates life.
- Limiting doom-scrolling while still allowing informed reading.
This is information, not a treatment plan. Personal care decisions belong with you and your clinicians.
FAQs
How do I stop checking without ignoring danger?
Work with a clinician on a personalised “when to act” list. Structure beats either extreme.
About this guide & further reading
Written and published by FND Connect. This is general information for people living with FND and those supporting them. It does not diagnose a symptom or replace advice from your clinician.
- Neurosymptoms: Health anxiety
- North Bristol NHS Trust: functional neurological symptoms
- Neurosymptoms: when new or different symptoms need reassessment
External resources provide further reading; their inclusion does not mean their authors have reviewed or endorsed this FND Connect guide. Page updated 3 October 2026.
Take this to your next conversation
Note what happens, how it affects your day and what you want to ask. An appointment pack can help you organise that conversation.