This medical condition stumped doctors for years
Summary
This episode explores functional neurological disorder (FND) through musician Kyla Madonna Kenny’s two-year struggle for a diagnosis. Host Emily Kwong interviews neurologist Dr. David Perez, who explains FND as a brain software glitch rather than hardware damage. The discussion covers the condition’s history, diagnostic challenges, and the importance of integrated medical and psychological care.
Topics discussed
Kyla's journey: Symptoms, misdiagnosis, and finding FND
Sponsors: Schwab, BetterHelp, and Capella University
Defining FND: Hardware vs. software and brain-body connection
History of FND: From hysteria to conversion disorder
Modern diagnosis: Moving beyond exclusion and Dr. Hallett's work
The Hoover sign: A test revealing intact motor pathways
Treatment plans: Therapy, retraining, and Kyla's recovery song
Outro, credits, and sponsors: Mint Mobile, Rosetta Stone, Squarespace
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