Patients' perspectives of navigating support following a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder: an interpretive phenomenological study.

Purpose

Currently in the United Kingdom, service provision for functional neurological disorder (FND) varies greatly, while research has suggested difficult experiences of receiving care by those diagnosed with FND. To improve understanding of the needs of this client group, this research aimed to explore the post-diagnostic experiences of people with FND navigating support within the NHS.

Materials And Methods

Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used on data collected from eight semi-structured interviews with adults living with a diagnosis of FND.

Results

Four interconnected themes emerged from the participants' accounts: 1) the complexity of a diagnosis, 2) deserted with a diagnosis, 3) journey towards disillusionment, and 4) specialist support: a positive ending?, highlighting subjective, complex post-diagnostic experiences related to seeking support in the NHS.

Conclusions

The findings provide new insights into the experiences of support-seeking in a group of people with FND, its impact on their relationships with healthcare professionals and health services, as well the transformative impact specialist support can have.