Functional neurological symptom disorder in a patient with hemibody weakness: A case report

Abstract

Functional neurological symptom disorder (FNSD) is a complex condition with multifactorial etiology in which psychological factors may play a significant role in some patients, and they are not universally present or necessary for the diagnosis. FNSD can occur in the absence of psychological distress and each patient’s presentation should be evaluated individually, considering a wide range of potential contributing factors. This is the first report related to prevalence data from Rwanda. This report presents a case study of a 15-year-old female patient who presented hemibody weakness without a structural neurological explanation on the background of the direct exposure to parental conflict. she was ultimately diagnosed with an FNSD and responded effectively to five sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy. Additionally, follow-up appointments were conducted every 4 months over the course of 1 year. During this period, the patient successfully resumed her studies and demonstrated normal functioning in all essential areas of daily life. This is the first reported case in Rwanda among similar cases. Addressing these specific stressors played a crucial role in the patient’s overall outcome, leading to improved quality of care and prevention of unnecessary medical costs and interventions.