13th April was International FND Awareness Day. FND stands for functional neurological disorder – comprising of somatic symptoms such as blackouts, paralysis, and abnormal movements that suggest the presence of an underlying neurological condition but none of the symptoms are explained by diseases.  

FND Australia provides a host of incredible resources on the disorder. Outlined below is some key information about the disorder and what FND Australia can do to help you or your loved one.  

Patients with FND often come from complex psychological backgrounds, so it is important for healthcare workers to be aware of the correlation between these disciplines. In a summary from FND Australia, physical and psychological symptoms of disease can be related in the following ways: 

• Physical symptoms come to light by way of complex psychological processes. 
• Psychological upset can manifest itself as physical symptoms. 
• Physical disease commonly causes a secondary psychological reaction. 
• Physical diseases affecting the brain can give rise, more or less directly, to psychological manifestations. 

No single mechanism has been identified as sufficient to explain the onset of FND but rather several interacting factors. Predisposing factors increase the patient’s vulnerability to FND while precipitating factors include historical and immediate precipitants. Perpetuating factors maintain or exacerbate the problem.  

For more information, visit the Mater Centre for Neurosciences’ Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Learning Guide.  

You may also find a list of health professionals with interest and expertise in FND here.

If you or anyone in your family requires assistance and home care look no further than your local Right at Home office. Right at Home provides in home care from companion care and domestic assistance, transport, shopping and community access through to personal care and skilled nursing. If you or your family need assistance look for you local Right at Home office here or call 1300 363 802.

Keep up to date with COVID 19 information on the following links: 

Australian Government Department of Health 

Victorian Health and Human Services 

NSW Health 

Queensland Health 

ACT Health 

WA Department of Health 

Tasmanian Department of Health 

Northern Territory Department of Health 

SA Health 

Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home companionship and personal care, and assistance to seniors (elderly and aged care), and any adult who needs our care at home including adults living with a disability who want to continue to live independently or age in their home. Right at Home is your local expert for issues related to caring for your loved ones and is dedicated to keeping you informed about home care. With no package management fees Right at Home allows you to get more care from your package or budget. 

Right at Home is a 'My Aged Care' government approved, home care provider for levels 1 – 4 and offers flexible in-home care services such as nursing care, after hospital care, post-operative care, respite care, dementia and Alzheimer's care. Right at Home also offers assistance with daily living and personal care such as grooming, hygiene, transport, shopping, meal prep, domestic services and social support, so your loved one can enjoy a more independent, vibrant life. Our nurses and caregivers are screened, highly trained, and insured prior to entering your home so you can trust us with the caregiving while you focus on your loved one. 

To find out more, please give us a call on 1300 363 802 or visit our website. 

Right at Home Offices in Australia: Adelaide Central; Brisbane Bayside; Brisbane North; Brisbane South; Brisbane West; Central Queensland & Wide Bay; Darling Downs; Far North Queensland; Gold Coast North; Gold Coast South; Greater Logan; Mackay; Moreton Bay Region; Noosa, Gympie & Hinterland; Sunshine Coast; Townsville; Central West New South Wales; Gosford; Hunter & Port Stephens; Macarthur Penrith; Newcastle; Northern Rivers; Padstow St George; Southern NSW; Sydney Central & Eastern Suburbs; Sydney Inner West; Sydney Liverpool; Sydney Lower North Shore; Sydney Norwest; Sydney Northern Beaches; Sydney Parramatta; Sydney Ryde; Sydney The Hills; Sydney Upper North Shore; Kalgoorlie Wheatbelt; Perth Como; Perth Midland; Perth Northern Suburbs; Perth West Coast; Southwest Victoria