Tom Plender

Musician, Artist, Chairman of FND Action

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

#FND left me housebound for many years, unable to walk or use my arms. The turning point came when I met Prof Mark Edwards & finally received diagnosis & treatment. It’s still a battle but I am starting to play again. I hope my story shows with the right treatment, there is hope.

[KimH @KH118118]

No-one hates Functional Neurological Disorder more than the people who have to endure it. Most patients aren’t online arguing ideology. They are trying to survive disabling symptoms, stigma, uncertainty and fractured healthcare whilst being dragged into wider medical battles #FND

[Jon Stone @jonstoneneuro]

A really impressive collection of neuroimaging and neurophysiological research in FND. Congratulations to the editors and all authors.

[KimH @KH118118]

When Functional Neurological Disorder is reduced to belief, suggestibility or “faith-like” treatment, this is the reality being erased. I’ve lived it, doubted it, researched it, and spent years listening to thousands living with it. Don’t reduce our lives to your theory. #FND

[KimH @KH118118]

Since @FndNope has me blocked I’ll respond here. Functional Neurological Disorder is not diagnosed by suggestibility. Hoover’s sign is not a suggestibility test. CBT is not a universal “gold standard”. Accepting an #FND diagnosis is not blind faith. Accuracy matters. 🧵

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@KH118118 @FndNope The article demonstrates ignorance of the basic principles of computational neuroscience/predictive processing- i.e how beliefs and expectations act as generative models/filters for our perceptual systems- despite this the author sets themselves up as some sort of expert?

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@awaisaftab Psychiatry is one of the most ambiguous areas of medicine, because the brain/mental illness is so complex-many unknowns. I think people who struggle to deal with complexity and ambiguity are often drawn to conspiracy thinking because it can provide simple answers

[KimH @KH118118]

A reminder for anyone who doubts Functional Neurological Disorder: People with #FND live with real symptoms, fear, uncertainty & real impact on their lives. Denying their dx, or using it as a weapon in arguments, only adds to stigma, isolation & harm. They are people, not labels.

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@MTurner1996 Thats interesting, I don't have hyperphantasia but I've always thought the fact I have an unusually vivid imagination is a contributing factor to FND - I guess it's the downside of having a brain like this

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

Great video explaining the predictive brain model and #FND
https://t.co/aRfgRdmKsT

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@MTurner1996 This seems to be about hyperphantasia?

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@jonstoneneuro @carlorovelli Great article- also like his point about the subjectivity of science, everything I've learnt from neuroscience/FND/predictive brain model seems to confirm bias is built into our perceptual systems - so a purely 'objective' experience or explanation of reality is impossible

[Jon Stone @jonstoneneuro]

I’m with @carlorovelli here. I don’t see a reason to have a ‘hard problem of consciousness’

Lessons here for FND

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@EdinPublishing @RoySocMed @jonstoneneuro @DipeshVasant @RonaMossMorris @Tim_R_Nicholson @WilliamMcGeown @Brain_Tinkerer Great event - particularly enjoyed talks by @jonstoneneuro and @Brain_Tinkerer

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@purposeful_pd Much of the medical profession still operates like a closed mediaeval guild. Patient perspective is essential, greater doctor/patient collaboration is the logical way forward - but sadly the 'doctor knows best' patriarchal model is still deeply embedded in medical culture

[Gavin Mogan @purposeful_pd]

Patients provide the material for observation and then have to pay in order to access that completed scientific observation which is purportedly produced for patient benefit! Just a sample of the disconnect…

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

@purposeful_pd Much of the medical profession still operates like a closed mediaeval guild. Patient perspective is essential, greater doctor/patient collaboration is the logical way forward - but sadly the 'doctor knows best' patriarchal model is still deeply embedded in medical culture

[Jane Boissiere @EdinPublishing]

🧵 Excellent multidisciplinary #mindbody event @RoySocMed yesterday. Great updates #FND #IBS #Pain thanks to @jonstoneneuro @DipeshVasant @RonaMossMorris @Tim_R_Nicholson @WilliamMcGeown @Brain_Tinkerer & many more!

[KimH @KH118118]

It’s bad enough a doctor describes throwing water on patients and dismisses seizures as not real, but engaging in a mocking conversation about it is not acceptable. This normalises harm and undermines patient dignity and trust. Patients with #FND deserve better @RCHTWeCare

[Karl Friston News @KarlFristonNews]

Discussion: "What is it like to be a self model?"

Interlocutor: Susan Blackmore

Host: @mathgrayuk

https://t.co/lehbUgyohj

[Tom Plender @TomPlender]

A must attend event @RoySocMed if you are a medical professional interested innovative treatment approaches to #FND - such as clinical hypnotherapy, brain/computer interface rehab
@EdinPublishing @jonstoneneuro @Katlab_UCL @wendyburn

[Jane Boissiere @EdinPublishing]

Mind-body disorders: Advances in Treatment & Rehabilitation ⁦@RoySocMed 27th April. Free for members ⁩ #FND #IBS #Pain Multidisciplinary meeting #DGBI #gastroenterology #neurology #neuropsychiatry #MedEd programme 👍Important common field of medicine https://t.co/Kaa8plkXAf