1st Edition

A Clinician’s Guide to Functional Neurological Disorder A Practical Neuropsychological Approach

    614 Pages 58 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    614 Pages 58 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    This manual for clinicians presents a ground-breaking, accessible and unifying new model for understanding functional neurological disorder (FND) that bridges the gap between theoretical FND-specific models and the more practical, but non-FND-specific Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) models. Grounded in psychology, the Pressure Cooker Model provides a clear metaphor for FND, focusing on intra-individual and inter-individual cognitive, emotional and behavioural processes. Developed based on years of clinical experience in the field, it is applicable to the assessment and treatment of every type of FND.

    Viewed as a systemic condition with unique psychosocial features, the book will describe the rationale for radically transforming FND recovery by providing a treatment model that aims to resolve emotion dysregulation processes and repair relationships between the person and the system. It uses a unifying framework to guide the steps of intervention and can be adapted for work in a multidisciplinary team context to facilitate communication between disciplines. Enriched with case studies and research data, the book also highlights a plethora of clinical tools and strategies based on the Pressure Cooker Model, as well as contextualising its position alongside CBT models.

    This manual is instrumental in educating and treating people with FND. It offers essential guidance for neuropsychologists, neuropsychiatrists and other health professionals, as well as students in these fields.

    1. The Rationale for Developing the Pressure Cooker Model to understand FND. 2. Evidence-Based data for the Pressure Cooker Model. 3. The Principles of the Pressure Cooker Model. 4. Using the Pressure Cooker Model in the Clinic: Tools, Strategies and Practical Advice. 5. Clinical Applications of the Pressure Cooker Model: Case Studies. 6. Pressure Cooker Model Adaptations for different populations with FND. 7. Pressure Cooker Model Complex Case Discussions. 8. Using the Pressure Cooker Model alongside CBT models. References. Index.

    Biography

    Dr Egberdina-Józefa van der Hulst, PhD, DClinPsy, is an inpatient psychologist with more than ten years of experience in clinical practice and research on functional neurological disorder (FND) and neuropsychology. As a firm believer in a systemic and interpersonal approach to FND, she is passionate about highlighting the power of neuropsychology for FND.