Parents & Caregivers
A calm, supportive space for those caring for someone with FND.
Welcome
Caring for someone with Functional Neurological Disorder can feel overwhelming, confusing, stressful, or frightening. You may be searching for answers, trying to find support, or simply wanting to understand what is happening. You are not alone, and none of this is your fault. Your support matters deeply, and HHFFND is here to help guide you.
FND happens when the brain and body have difficulty sending and receiving signals. It is a real neurological condition, not imagined, not intentional, and not caused by personality, weakness, or behaviour.
People with FND may experience:
- weakness or sudden loss of movement
- tremors or shaking
- functional seizures or episodes
- speech difficulties
- sensory changes
- cognitive fog or difficulty thinking clearly
- sudden fatigue
- emotional overwhelm
These symptoms are real and involuntary. Your child, partner, friend, or parent is not choosing them.
We provide gentle, practical caregiver resources that are available across Canada. Our planned caregiver programs are being designed to include:
- Our planned caregiver programs will include:
- weekly online support groups
- calm, predictable session structure
- trauma-informed communication
- space to ask questions without judgment
- connection with others who understand your experience
You can participate:
- with or without your camera
- silently or by speaking
- while resting or stepping away
- however feels comfortable to you
There is no pressure to be strong or to share more than you want.
Planned caregiver groups will follow a consistent, supportive flow:
- A warm welcome
- A gentle grounding moment
- An optional check-in
- A practical, calm topic or resource
- A time to reflect, listen, or share
- A quiet closing moment
These groups will not be therapy. They will offer steady, understanding community support.
Support looks different for every family, but these principles often help:
- speak calmly and reassuringly
- offer simple choices instead of open-ended questions
- allow breaks and pauses
- reduce overwhelm where possible
- validate their experience
- avoid pressure or frustration
- ask what feels supportive in the moment
- recognize that symptoms are involuntary
Small changes make a meaningful difference.
Looking for coping tools for the person you support? Visit our age-specific coping menu collections to find activities with language and visuals adapted for different stages of life.
Caring for someone with FND can bring stress, uncertainty, emotional strain, and changing demands. Your wellbeing matters too.
HHFFND’s full collection of 21 adult coping menus is available to parents and caregivers for their own support. Each menu offers a small selection of activities, so you can choose what feels manageable based on what you need in the moment.
The menus can help you find options for:
- calming or settling your body
- grounding and reconnecting with your surroundings
- managing overwhelm or high-energy moments
- finding comfort or emotional support
- focusing, planning, or shifting your attention
- winding down and resting
- responding to different needs from one day to the next
There is no single right menu to use. You do not need to complete every activity or make a coping strategy work. Choose what feels helpful, adapt activities when needed, and leave anything that does not feel right for you.
Looking for coping tools for the person you support?
Visit our age-specific coping menu collections to find activities with language and visuals adapted for different stages of life.
If symptoms are new, severe, significantly different from the person’s usual FND symptoms, or could be a medical emergency, call 911 or seek urgent medical help. Do not assume new symptoms are caused by FND. For difficult situations that are not emergencies, our Safety, Crisis & Emergency Guidance page offers calm steps and direction.
A Supportive Message for Parents & Caregivers
Supporting someone with FND can be emotionally heavy. It is okay to feel tired, uncertain, or overwhelmed at times. Caregiving often involves navigating unpredictability, advocating for understanding, and balancing your own needs alongside someone else’s. That work is meaningful, and it can also be exhausting. Your care matters. You deserve support, understanding, and moments of rest as well.