The Financial Burden of Functional Neurological Disorders

Purpose of ReviewFunctional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and severely debilitating condition lacking clinical ownership, existing between neurology and psychiatry. This article reports the findings of recent research investigating the economic costs of FND diagnosis and management. We define what the costs are, why they exist, and suggest actionable steps to reduce them.Recent FindingsThe financial burden of FND exists across the globe characterized by high healthcare utilization resulting in exorbitant direct and indirect costs for the patient, healthcare system, and society. Inadequate medical education and stigmatization of the disorder prolong the time to diagnosis, during which cyclical utilization of inpatient and emergency department services drive up costs. Despite being cost-effective, lack of accessible treatment compounds the issue, leaving patients without a reliable exit.SummaryRecent findings support an increased awareness and the need for a cultural shift to overcome the financial burden associated with this underserved population.

Automated summary

This article discusses the economic costs of diagnosis and management of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a common and debilitating condition that falls between neurology and psychiatry. The findings suggest that FND incurs high healthcare utilization and exorbitant costs for patients, healthcare systems, and society. Lack of accessible treatment and stigmatization prolong the time to diagnosis and exacerbate the financial burden for patients.