Functional neurological symptom disorder

Weakness, non-epileptic events, gait/sensory/speech symptoms inconsistent with neurological disease

RoutineReview due

Compare (7)

At a glance

High-risk causes: 4
Related differentials: 6

Safety snapshot

Watch forMissing strokeseizure disordermyastheniacord compression

Presentation hinge

Driven by excessive time, energy, and distress around symptoms, not by symptoms being fake.

Separates the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group. It is not specific to Functional neurological symptom disorder.

Clinical review

Rows marked “Whole group”: Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group — not specific to Functional neurological symptom disorder

Why it fits

Weakness, non-epileptic events, gait/sensory/speech symptoms inconsistent with neurological disease

Key features

Must-not-miss

Missing stroke, seizure disorder, myasthenia, cord compression.

High-risk causes4 causes

Missing stroke
seizure disorder
myasthenia
cord compression

Bedside question

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

Driven by excessive time, energy, and distress around symptoms, not by symptoms being fake.

Helpful clues

Immediate action

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Priority steps

Investigations

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Core tests

Mimics / overlap

Applies to the Somatic Symptoms / Illness Anxiety / Functional Neurological Symptoms / Factitious Presentation group.

None listed

Consider

Clinical reference — not validated decision support. Review before use.