My Life Story and Functional Neurological Disorder
Research type
Research Study
Full title
My Life Story and Functional Neurological Disorder: Exploring the Relationship between Unmitigated Communion (UC) and Functional Neurological Disorder (FND)
IRAS ID
305339
Contact name
Dipak Patel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) occurs when there is a problem with the functioning of the nervous system that is not explained by structural changes or other neurological disorders and covers several neurological symptoms such as: weakness, numbness, and seizures. One explanation for the development of functional neurological symptoms is that they can be a way in which some people process stressful experiences. Significant recent or more remote life events (including those in early childhood) certainly seem to predispose some people to respond with the development of FND. However, a substantial subgroup of individuals with FND is not aware of any recent or remote stress or trauma.
The term 'Unmitigated Communion' (UC) has been coined to describe the tendency to suppress one's own needs in favour of the needs of others. UC emerges during childhood and adolescence and has been linked to increased levels of stress, as well as poorer health and wellbeing. Psychotherapists have noticed that many patients with FND tend to prioritise the needs of others over their own, just like those with high levels of UC do who have been studied in other contexts.
This exploratory study intends to explore the possible relationship between UC and FND: how UC develops, how it might contribute to the origins and maintenance of FND, and how it might best be worked with in psychotherapy. We will identify individuals with the lowest and highest scores on a UC questionnaire and invite five of each to take part in Biographical Narrative Interviews (BNI) where patients are encouraged to tell their life stories. The interviewer will keep notes reflecting on their immediate reactions to the interviews. These stories and reflections will form the data which will be examined using qualitative analysis by an interdisciplinary research group in order to address these research aims.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0216
Date of REC Opinion
19 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion