Functional Symptoms

This pack has been produced with by Frimley Health NHS Trust in partnership with Healthier Together

Functional Symptoms is a term used to describe physical symptoms with no apparent biological cause. When symptoms seem to be caused by problems in the nervous system, but you do not have a specific neurological condition, doctors may refer to your symptoms as a ‘Functional Neurological Symptoms’. Just because symptoms have no obvious biological cause, it does not mean the symptoms are ‘imagined’ or not real!

So, sometimes, pain sticks around longer than it needs to and sometimes there is no actual injury or problem causing the pain, but it is still definitely real. The usual medical treatment of pain relief does not work very well for this kind of pain. When this happens, the brain seems to be confused, sending pain messages when it doesn’t need to!  

Functional Symptoms can be frustrating because:

• The medical tests for your symptoms are all normal, but symptoms still occur.
• It can be hard to understand a diagnosis of Functional Symptoms.
• It can feel as though other people think your symptoms are imaginary.

However, you are not alone! Functional symptoms are common, with one in ten adolescents experiencing them! These symptoms account for up to 45% of all GP appointments, and half of all new visits to hospital clinics in the UK.  

The aim of this pack is to educate and provide support for those experiencing Functional Symptoms.