Functional Symptoms – When the Body Says Stop!
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is very proud to have funded a new booklet that provides clear and accessible information on functional symptoms to young people and their families. The booklet aims to demystify what can be a complicated diagnosis and help young people start their journey to recovery.
What are Functional Symptoms?
Functional symptoms are physical symptoms that are caused by miscommunication between the brain and the body. These symptoms don’t have an obvious medical cause but are real and can be very distressing and confusing for young people.
Common functional symptoms include chronic pain, fatigue, seizures, difficulty breathing, and gastrointestinal issues that aren’t explained by medical tests. These symptoms can significantly affect a young person’s daily life, such as their ability to interact with friends and attend school or extracurricular activities.
For parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, understanding functional symptoms, why they occur, and how they can be managed, is crucial in providing the best care for the children and young people affected by them.
A New Resource
Due to the complex and varied nature of functional symptoms, understanding, diagnosis, and treatment can be difficult. With up to 10% of children experiencing functional symptoms, there must be appropriate resources available to support them and their families.
Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is pleased to have funded this new, easy-to-understand booklet on functional symptoms and how to manage them, beautifully illustrated by Neil Slorance.
It is hoped that this booklet will support a broad range of specialists, provide a clear and prompt explanation of functional symptoms, and help young people start their journey to recovery.