Your job is stressful, and work stress sucks, but did you ever think it could cause so much damage that you would lose brain function?
Well that’s exactly what happened to one unlucky British woman.
At a glance:
- Emily Newman, 25, from Sussex, was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) after “work stress” triggered severe neurological symptoms.
- FND left her unable to walk or talk, experiencing up to 25 seizures a day and frequent episodes of paralysis.
- Emily faces an uncertain future, trying to stay positive despite the lack of a cure and significant life changes.
Emily Newman, a 25-year-old woman from Sussex, was in the best shape of her life, newly married and focusing on fitness, when her life was suddenly turned upside down by a rare neurological condition. Triggered by what doctors believe was “work stress,” Emily began suffering from seizures and was ultimately diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a brain condition that affects the ability to send and receive signals.
Her condition developed rapidly, beginning with a sudden seizure that led to her being rushed to the hospital. Despite undergoing multiple tests and scans, doctors struggled to identify the cause of her symptoms. It wasn’t until she experienced terrifying bouts of paralysis—leaving her unable to move her legs for up to eight days—that Emily sought a private diagnosis. In December 2023, she was finally diagnosed with FND, which now causes her to have an average of 10 seizures a week, sometimes reaching as many as 25 in a single afternoon.
FND is a disorder that affects the brain’s network of communication with the rest of the body. As a result, Emily now struggles with a range of debilitating symptoms, including slurred speech, tic attacks, and bouts of paralysis. Her symptoms have not only affected her physical health but also her emotional well-being. Emily describes going through a grieving process, mourning the life she thought she would have as she adjusts to her new reality.
Doctors believe that stress from her job in finance may have played a significant role in triggering her condition, but FND remains poorly understood, and there is no known cure. Emily remains determined to stay positive, but her future remains uncertain, as there’s only a 33 percent chance of her condition improving.
While treatments like physiotherapy and psychotherapy can help manage symptoms, they are expensive, and Emily currently lacks the funds for private treatments. Nevertheless, she continues to take each day as it comes, determined to maintain her identity and live her life despite the challenges.
