Recovery Tools

My partner grabbed me by the chin and spoke sternly. 

"Life or Death?. Choose now and choose wisely".

 I chose wisely. 

The rocky road

This section is designed for the majority of us here in Aotearoa who do not have access to specialist support, or who have had these concepts explained to them in ways that did not resonate well. 

Most of the international websites tell us that with our team of Therapists, we are likely to recover. However in this country, the Neurologists and Therapists we need are generally not available, neither publicly nor privately. Generally, our people get a frosty reception from the medical system and are left to fend for themselves. This can be really scary. 

If you can find a good Doctor or Therapist, that's great. Follow their lead. There is a list of therapists here. Don't be surprised if you cant find help. Demand outstrips supply.

In this section we focus on steps people can take to help themselves recover. We try to explain in a way that makes sense. 

FND and mental health

Many/most people who get FND have experienced significant trauma in their lives, particularly as children. For those of us who have been hurt like this it's easier for us to understand how psychological therapies can help us. The video below does not specifically mention FND but it does describe how trauma and stress affect the nervous system. 

Doesn't sound like you? 

You may be one of the people that has never suffered trauma, mental illness or stress. You may feel that you were not stressed at the time you got sick. You might be only 10 years old and never had a care in the world. You may feel like the Doctors have got it all wrong. 

If that is the case, we believe you. Even if trauma and stress were not part of your life before, psychological well-being techniques are clinically proven to be your best recovery tool. 

And lets face it, having this illness is traumatic in itself. If you weren't stressed before, its likely you are now. 

You may have heard a common analogy to explain FND as being like a software problem rather than a hardware problem. Following along with the analogy, the recovery tools offered here help you reboot your system. Depending on how sick you are, you are going to have to keep rebooting again and again, for as long as it takes. 

This must become your way of life now. Luckily these tools feel good, they are free and widely available.