A battle for validation and understanding of people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Effects of stigma and actions of others on well-being and self-perception

Pirard, K., Stiller, J. and Tyndall, I. (2026) A battle for validation and understanding of people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND): Effects of stigma and actions of others on well-being and self-perception. Current Psychology. pp. 1-38. ISSN 1936-4733

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Abstract

It is increasingly recognized that further research is needed to examine the effect of stigma, bias and the views of others in people experiencing Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). In this light, the present qualitative study focused on an exploration of how the well-being and self-perception of people with FND might be affected by the stigma of others. Seven participants (from England, Wales, Australia, and New Zealand) were recruited via adverts posted to online FND support group webpages and took part in in-depth online semi-structured interviews exploring the personal experiences of living with FND. Transcripts of the interviews were then analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Two superordinate themes were developed: dehumanization and self-perception. These superordinate themes comprised of the following subordinate themes: consent issues; disbelief and disregard; self-doubt; and self-stigma. Consent issues and disbelief and disregard reflected dehumanization, while self-doubt and self-stigma encompass self-perception. The present data highlighted just how impactful stigma and disbelief are in leading to negative self-perception and dehumanization of people with FND. Future research is needed to help those living with FND to overcome the negative consequences of this stigma and actions of others, such as reduced quality of life, deterioration of symptoms and decreased well-being.

Publication Type: Articles
Uncontrolled Keywords: Functional Neurological Disorder, FND, stigma; disbelief, dehumanization
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Academic Areas > Institute of Education, Social and Life Sciences > Psychology
Research Entities > POWER Centre
Related URLs:
Depositing User: Ian Tyndall
Date Deposited: 11 Feb 2026 09:58
Last Modified: 11 Feb 2026 09:58
URI: https://eprints.chi.ac.uk/id/eprint/8489

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