Rockland Woman's Years-Long Medical Mystery Solved: Functional Neurological Disorder Diagnosis

The Journey to Diagnosis

• 💡 For six years, Moren Henry experienced debilitating cognitive problems, extreme fatigue, and uncontrollable face and body ticks.
• 🎯 These symptoms became so severe that she had to quit her job as a hospital newborn photographer.
• 📌 Henry's medical mystery began after a highly stressful period in her life, during which she lost both her parents on the same day.

Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)

• 🧠 A neurologist at Maimonides Health, Dr. Christian Amlong, diagnosed Henry with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
• 🧩 FND is described as a condition affecting brain communication, characterized by a breakdown in brain networks leading to a disconnect between brain parts and between the brain and body.
• ⚠️ While the exact causes are not fully understood, potential predisposing factors include trauma and psychological triggers.

Treatment and Recovery

• 🛠️ Treatment for FND typically does not involve medication but rather a multidisciplinary approach, including psychotherapy and neurological physical therapy.
• ✅ Henry found that engaging in exercises requiring intense mind-body engagement was crucial for her recovery.
• 🚀 After approximately four months of physical therapy, Henry began to feel significantly better and is now living life to the fullest, even taking up scuba diving.

Empowering Others

• 📣 Henry emphasizes the importance of advocating for oneself and being persistent when seeking medical answers.
• 🌟 Her experience highlights how finding the right doctor and pursuing appropriate treatment can make a profound difference in overcoming a medical mystery.