Att leva med funktionella neurologiska symtom

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how emotions, self-perception, and everyday social relationships are affected in individuals with functional neurological symptoms (FNS). The research questions address daily social and emotional experiences, responses from the social environment, the impact of FNS on self-identity, and the strategies used to navigate the social challenges that FNS brings. The research was conducted as an exploratory, qualitative diary study using an abductive thematic analysis. The study builds on a norm-critical foundation within Critical Disability Studies (CDS) which is combined with microsociological frameworks, including Mead's theories of the self, Goffman's concepts of stigma and impression management, and Hochschild's perspective on emotional labor. The main findings show that life with FNS is defined by a discrepancy between an unpredictable body and society's ableist norms. The lack of a shared framework of understanding creates systematic mistrust and structural stigma, which becomes especially clear in healthcare settings. This leads to social exclusion and a fractured self-identity, forcing the individual to perform extensive emotional labor just to maintain their agency. Finally, the results emphasize that validating, stigma-free environments act as a crucial counterweight to reduce this emotional burden.