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Disentangling stigma from Functional Neurological Disorders: conference report and roadmap for the Future

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  • 02/20/2025
Type of Material
Authors
    Karen Rommelfanger, Emory UniversityStewart Factor, Emory UniversitySuzette Laroche, Emory UniversityPhyllis Rosen, Emory UniversityRaymond Young, Emory UniversityMark Rapaport, Emory University
Language
  • English
Date
  • 2017-03-29
Publisher
  • Frontiers Media
Publication Version
Copyright Statement
  • © 2017 Rommelfanger, Factor, LaRoche, Rosen, Young and Rapaport.
License
Final Published Version (URL)
Title of Journal or Parent Work
ISSN
  • 1664-2295
Volume
  • 8
Grant/Funding Information
  • Support from the Mark and Barbara Klein Mind-Body Conference Series at Emory.
Supplemental Material (URL)
Abstract
  • A multidisciplinary expert review of key issues and future directions from the conference “Controversial labels and clinical uncertainties: psychogenic disorders, conversion disorder, and functional symptoms.” On October 9 and 10, 2015, a conference entitled “Controversial labels and clinical uncertainties: psychogenic disorders, conversion disorder, and functional symptoms” was held at the Center for Ethics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. This conference brought together a select group of 30 distinguished thought leaders and practitioners, including ethicists, researchers, clinicians, humanities scholars, and advocates to discuss the unique challenges and controversies related to the diagnosis, treatment, and stigma for patients with what is currently recognized as functional (“psychogenic”) neurological disorders. Our group of experts explored the conflicts and ethical tensions within health care that must be addressed in order to advance care for these disorders. What follows is a reflection on the conversations between conference attendees outlining key challenges and value conflicts in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with functional disorders. With this report, we aim to provide a roadmap for reducing stigma and improving care for functional neurological disorders (FND). A path forward would involve (1) setting a multifactorial research agenda that equally prioritized access to effective psychotherapy as well as identification of novel biomarkers; (2) empowering patients with FND to be heard and to drive changes in care; and (3) reducing isolation for clinicians by providing formal training and setting up multidisciplinary care teams and support networks.
Author Notes
Keywords
Research Categories
  • Psychology, Clinical
  • Psychology, Behavioral
  • Biology, Neuroscience

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