Functional Neurological Disorder
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) Program at Inova
At Inova, we offer the following treatment options for adults.
FND Neuropsychology Clinic: This involves consultation and individual therapy for people with all types of FND.
Functional Movement Disorders Interdisciplinary Clinic (FMD IDC): This involves an interdisciplinary evaluation and rehabilitation program for people with functional movement disorders (FMD). Our core team includes a movement disorders neurologist, neuropsychologist, and physical therapists with specialized expertise in FMD care.
During your visit, you will meet individually with 3 providers over a 3-hour period. This includes:
– Movement disorders neurologist – Dr. Mick Reedy
– Neuropsychologist – Dr. Emmi Scott
– Physical therapist – Ashlie Williams or Abi Ortmeyer
This comprehensive assessment allows our team to confirm your diagnosis, understand the factors contributing to your condition, and collaboratively design a personalized treatment plan tailored to your goals and needs.
After your visit, we will create an individualized treatment plan based on your goals, lifestyle, and functional needs. The treatment program may involve working with:
– Physical therapists (FND-trained therapists at all 5 Inova hospital-based rehabilitation departments)
– Occupational therapists
– Speech therapists
– Neuropsychologists or rehabilitation psychologists
FND With Seizures vs. FND With Movement Symptoms
We distinguish between FND with seizures (also called PNES or functional seizures) and FND with movement symptoms, even though there is some overlap. Whole body movements can happen in both.
Seizures generally involve some altered level of awareness during the episodes affecting someone’s ability to hear/understand people during the episode, respond during the episode, or remember the episode. If there is any change in awareness, responsiveness, or memory during the episode, it is considered a seizure-like episode, in which case the type of specialist you would need to see would be an epileptologist.
If there is no change in awareness or responsiveness during the episode, it would be considered more of a movement problem, and a movement disorders specialist can help.
Important information before you call to schedule an appointment
If you are coming from outside of Inova, we will need a referral from a physician and a copy of your neurology records.
Referrals/records can be faxed to 571-472-4201.
Once the referral has been sent, then you can call for scheduling at 571-472-4167.
Alternatively, if the referring physician has access to Inova charts through EpicCare Link, they can put in the referral to neurology on Epic, then select FND clinic.