Emotional awareness, mentalization and symptom complexity in FND
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Emotional awareness, mentalization and symptom complexity in functional neurological symptom disorder (FND)
IRAS ID
211216
Contact name
Garret Coy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christchurch University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 6 days
Research summary
Functional neurological symptoms (FNS) are ‘somatic symptoms which superficially resemble those of organic disorders of the nervous system, but for which no physical explanation can be found’ (Howlett, Grunewald, Khan, & Reuber, 2007, p. 354). Common functional symptoms include headaches, weakness, numbness, pain, dizziness and tremors. Functional neurological symptom disorder (FND) is one of the most common conditions encountered by neurologists, and in the absence of an organic illness to treat, those with FND are often referred for psychosocial interventions, but there are no conclusive results currently for the benefits of such interventions (Ruddy & House, 2005).
It is now increasingly accepted that considering biological, psychological and social factors is essential to understanding FND. This study aims to explore the roles of two of these factors – mentalization and alexithymia. Mentalization is concerned with the development of the ability to think about ourselves and others as having a mind (comprised of feelings, thoughts and intentions), which enables us to be aware of our emotions and to regulate them by thinking about them (Subic-Wrana, 2011). People with impairments in their ability to mentalize may have difficulty understanding bodily sensations related to emotional arousal, and so ascribe them to physical defects instead, leading to the development of functional symptoms.
Alexithymia (Sifneos, 1973) is characterised by deficiencies in understanding, processing or describing emotions. Although previous research has not shown it to be a marker of FND, it may be that considering alexithymia alongside impairments in mentalizing may lead to a more better understanding of FND.
This study aims to establish whether people with FND have greater impairments in their ability to mentalize, and higher levels of alexithymia, than healthy controls. It will further test whether as impairments in mentalization and alexithymia worsen, levels of somatic complaints increase.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/EE/0191
Date of REC Opinion
4 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion