The FND Society Podcast

This week our guest is Dr. Jeff Waugh. Dr. Waugh is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neuroscience at the University of Texas, Southwestern, in Dallas. He founded and directs the Pediatric Movement Disorders Program and founded and co-directs the Pediatric Functional Neurological Disorders Clinic. His research centers on neuropsychiatric disorders of the striatum, a brain area that sorts and regulates input from every part of the human cortex. His lab studies the interacting and competing functions of two sub-compartments of the striatum, the striosome and matrix, and how imbalances between the compartments contribute to human diseases. His research articles, case series, reviews, chapters, and editorials have been cited by peers more than 1500 times.
In this episode, Dr. Waugh and I discuss elements specific to pediatric FND including the role of the family and treatment models, a survey of pediatric providers regarding FND documentation, communication, and experiences, the role of medical systems in supporting good communication and provider / patient experience, and lastly FND and the gender spectrum. It was a great discussion about brilliant work, and a very enjoyable conversation.  
Relevant Articles: 
When neurologists diagnose functional neurological disorder, why don’t they code for it?: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34521502/
Functional Neurologic Disorder Among Sexual and Gender Minority People:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37775203/
Lastly, we invite providers to participate in a brief survey examining driving recommendations for patients with functional seizures. Developed by a dedicated study group, this survey seeks to capture the current opinions of physicians worldwide on this topic. Please take a moment to share your expertise:  https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8065625/functional-dissociative-seizures-and-driving
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This episode’s guest is Dr. Sarah Cope, DClinPsy. Dr. Cope is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist at St. Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as well as South West London & St. Georges Mental Health NHS Trust. She is an accredited EMDR & CBT Therapist. 
 We discuss her pathway into FND, the basics of EMDR therapy (protocols, mechanisms, targets), the use of EMDR in FND, specifically her MODIFI trial, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) under its Research for Patient Benefit Programme (Grant Reference Number 202277). 
Links for the discussed articles – MODIFI: protocol for randomised feasibility study of eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) for functional neurological disorder (FND): MODIFI EMDR
 Lastly, we invite providers to participate in a brief survey examining driving recommendations for patients with functional seizures. Developed by a dedicated study group, this survey seeks to capture the current opinions of physicians worldwide on this topic. Please take a moment to share your expertise:  https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8065625/functional-dissociative-seizures-and-driving
Support the show

This is a 3 part panel series, exploring FND across the international arena. Part 1 includes FND diagnosis, access, and discussion of treatment landscapes, Part 2 including FND culturally relevant factors within the biopsychosocialspiritual model, and Part 3 covers FND research, funding, and international collaborations. 
My gracious guests include: Lucia Tesolin a neurologist in charge of the Functional Neurological Disorders Clinic at the Civil Hospital of Bolzano, Italy, and researcher at the Center for Research in Complementary Medicine, EsSalud Social Health Insurance, Peru; Sonja Rutten from Amsterdam University Medical Center, the Netherlands (providing input on the Dutch and FND); Takamichi Kanbayashi, from Tokyo and Teikyo University School of Medicine (presently learning FND in Edinburg, UK); Lucas D’Andrea – at University of  São Paulo Brazil; Chrisma Pretorius at Stellenbosch University in South Africa; and Sanjay Pandey, presently in Delhi, India at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
Support the show

This is a 3 part panel series, exploring FND across the international arena. Part 1 includes FND diagnosis, access, and discussion of treatment landscapes, Part 2 including FND culturally relevant factors within the biopsychosocialspiritual model, and Part 3 covers FND research, funding, and international collaborations. 
My gracious guests include: Lucia Tesolin a neurologist in charge of the Functional Neurological Disorders Clinic at the Civil Hospital of Bolzano, Italy, and researcher at the Center for Research in Complementary Medicine, EsSalud Social Health Insurance, Peru; Sonja Rutten from Amsterdam University Medical Center, the Netherlands (providing input on the Dutch and FND); Takamichi Kanbayashi, from Tokyo and Teikyo University School of Medicine (presently learning FND in Edinburg, UK); Lucas D’Andrea – at University of  São Paulo Brazil; Chrisma Pretorius at Stellenbosch University in South Africa; and Sanjay Pandey, presently in Delhi, India at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
Support the show

Multi-Cultural Podcast Series: Part 1 FND Diagnosis, Access, & Treatment Landscapes
This is a 3 part panel series, exploring FND across the international arena. Part 1 includes FND diagnosis, access, and discussion of treatment landscapes, Part 2 including FND culturally relevant factors within the biopsychosocialspiritual model, and Part 3 covers FND research, funding, and international collaborations. 
My gracious guests include: Lucia Tesolin a neurologist in charge of the Functional Neurological Disorders Clinic at the Civil Hospital of Bolzano, Italy, and researcher at the Center for Research in Complementary Medicine, EsSalud Social Health Insurance, Peru; Sonja Rutten from Amsterdam University Medical Center, the Netherlands (providing input on the Dutch and FND); Takamichi Kanbayashi, from Tokyo and Teikyo University School of Medicine (presently learning FND in Edinburg, UK); Lucas D’Andrea – at University of  São Paulo Brazil; Chrisma Pretorius at Stellenbosch University in South Africa; and Sanjay Pandey, presently in Delhi, India at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences.
Support the show