Are there any recorded deaths directly attributed to Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)?

Mortality in Functional Neurological Disorder

FND does not cause death or shorten lifespan—it is not a degenerative or life-threatening condition, and mortality is not elevated compared to the general population. 1

Direct Mortality Risk

• There are no recorded deaths directly attributed to FND itself, as the disorder does not cause permanent structural damage to the nervous system 2, 1
• The symptoms arise from a potentially reversible miscommunication between the brain and body, not from structural neurological disease that could be fatal 2, 3
• FND is fundamentally different from degenerative neurological conditions that can affect lifespan 2

Important Caveats: Secondary Complications

While FND itself is not fatal, certain secondary complications require clinical vigilance:

Respiratory Compromise

• Patients with functional seizures who develop potential respiratory compromise require continuous cardiorespiratory monitoring, particularly in acute presentations 2
• This represents a management consideration for the acute symptom manifestation, not mortality from FND itself 2

Nutritional Complications

• Functional dysphagia can lead to unintended weight loss, malnutrition, and social withdrawal 2
• These complications require monitoring and intervention but are preventable with appropriate management 2

Deconditioning Effects

• Prolonged immobility or reduced activity can lead to secondary problems such as deconditioning and muscle atrophy 2
• Maladaptive movement patterns can create new musculoskeletal problems including secondary pain syndromes 2

Clinical Implications

• When counseling patients, emphasize that FND symptoms are real but potentially reversible, and do not represent a life-threatening condition 2, 3
• The high levels of distress, disability, unemployment, and reduced quality of life experienced by many patients reflect the burden of symptoms and associated stigma, not a life-threatening disease process 2
• Early diagnosis and treatment are critical for optimal outcomes, with 60-96% of patients reporting improvement after intervention 1