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Independent information guide — not a medical service.

Sensation, vision, hearing and dizziness

Understand which information route fits the symptom and what still needs individual assessment.

Sensation, vision, hearing and dizziness

This page brings together changes in body sensation, vision, hearing, smell, taste and dizziness. These are not one diagnosis, and the evidence is stronger for some areas than others.

What to do next: Start with the term used in your clinical explanation, or simply describe what you experience without deciding the cause.

Important limit: This page can help you find information. It cannot tell whether a symptom is functional, part of another condition or still unexplained.

Sources and review information

Status: Owner released - source checked

Evidence check: Mapped to checked master-register claims

Jurisdiction: UK

Last checked: Check the linked live source

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Corrections: Use the site correction route without including personal health information.

  • WHO ICD-11 2026 — World Health Organization. ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, 2026-01 release.
  • FND subtypes and shared mechanisms — Hallett M, Aybek S, Dworetzky BA, McWhirter L, Staab JP, Stone J. Functional neurological disorder: new subtypes and shared mechanisms. Lancet Neurol. 2022;21(6):537-550.
  • Diagnosis and management of FND — Aybek S, Perez DL. Diagnosis and management of functional neurological disorder. BMJ. 2022;376:o64.
  • WHO ICD-11 CDDR — World Health Organization. Clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements for ICD-11 mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders. Geneva: WHO; 2024.
  • Functional sensory symptoms — Stone J, Vermeulen M. Functional sensory symptoms. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139:271-281.
  • Positive-sign accuracy review — Patwal R, Jolly AJ, Kumar A, Yadav R, Desai G, Thippeswamy H. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and investigations for functional weakness, sensory and movement disorders: a systematic review. J Psychosom Res. 2023;168:111196.
  • Functional vision diagnosis — Tao BKL, Xie JS, Margolin E. Functional vision disorder: a review of diagnosis, management and costs. Br J Ophthalmol. 2024;108(11):1479-1485.
  • Functional auditory disorders — Baguley DM, et al. Functional auditory disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139.
  • Internal symptom taxonomy — FND Symptoms Comprehensive Evidence Guide. Internal project research catalogue; 2026.
  • PPPD criteria — Staab JP, Eckhardt-Henn A, Horii A, et al. Diagnostic criteria for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: Barany Society consensus. J Vestib Res. 2017;27(4):191-208.
  • Autonomic disorder boundary — Blitshteyn S, et al. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other common autonomic disorders are not functional neurologic disorders. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1490744.
  • NICE NG127 referral — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral (NG127). Updated 2 October 2023.
  • NHS PoTS page — NHS. Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).
  • BPS FND psychology guidance — British Psychological Society. Functional Neurological Disorder: Neuropsychological and psychological management in children and adults. Division of Neuropsychology Policy Unit FND Working Group. 2024.
  • Wales FND national optimal pathway — NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, Neurological Conditions Network. National Optimal Pathway for Functional Neurological Disorder: adults aged 16 and over. March 2026.
  • UK community OT barriers — Nicholson C, Francis J, Nielsen G, Lorencatto F. Barriers and enablers to providing community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder: an interview study with occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Br J Occup Ther. 2022;85:262-273.
  • Journey to diagnosis and care — Pritomanova S, et al. The journey to diagnosis and care of functional neurological disorder. PLoS One. 2026;21:e0328321.

Last checked: 2026-07-16

Jurisdiction: UK

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Correction route: Report changed or inaccurate information without including personal health information.

Why the labels matter

The catalogue separates recognised functional symptoms, related diagnoses, practical access needs and areas where FND-specific evidence is still limited.

  • Body sensory symptoms: a recognised functional presentation assessed within a full neurological examination.
  • Visual symptoms: a recognised presentation requiring appropriate ophthalmic or neuro-ophthalmic assessment.
  • Auditory symptoms: recognised in broad classification, but supported by a limited FND-specific evidence base and requiring audiological and medical assessment.
  • Smell and taste changes: recognised in broad classification, with sparse FND-specific diagnostic evidence and a need to consider other explanations.
  • Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: a separately diagnosable functional vestibular disorder with its own criteria.
  • Sensitivity to light, sound, touch, movement or busy environments: record the access need without treating it as a diagnostic sign.

What to do next: Use the label to find the right conversation or professional—not to decide the cause yourself.

Important limit: A routing label does not prove that FND caused a symptom. Limited evidence must remain visibly limited.

Sources and review information

Status: Owner released - source checked

Evidence check: Mapped to checked master-register claims

Jurisdiction: UK

Last checked: Check the linked live source

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Corrections: Use the site correction route without including personal health information.

  • Functional sensory symptoms — Stone J, Vermeulen M. Functional sensory symptoms. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139:271-281.
  • Positive-sign accuracy review — Patwal R, Jolly AJ, Kumar A, Yadav R, Desai G, Thippeswamy H. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and investigations for functional weakness, sensory and movement disorders: a systematic review. J Psychosom Res. 2023;168:111196.
  • Functional vision diagnosis — Tao BKL, Xie JS, Margolin E. Functional vision disorder: a review of diagnosis, management and costs. Br J Ophthalmol. 2024;108(11):1479-1485.
  • WHO ICD-11 2026 — World Health Organization. ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, 2026-01 release.
  • Functional auditory disorders — Baguley DM, et al. Functional auditory disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139.
  • Internal symptom taxonomy — FND Symptoms Comprehensive Evidence Guide. Internal project research catalogue; 2026.
  • NICE adult autism guideline — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management. CG142. Updated 14 June 2021.
  • PPPD criteria — Staab JP, Eckhardt-Henn A, Horii A, et al. Diagnostic criteria for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: Barany Society consensus. J Vestib Res. 2017;27(4):191-208.
  • BPS FND psychology guidance — British Psychological Society. Functional Neurological Disorder: Neuropsychological and psychological management in children and adults. Division of Neuropsychology Policy Unit FND Working Group. 2024.
  • Wales FND national optimal pathway — NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, Neurological Conditions Network. National Optimal Pathway for Functional Neurological Disorder: adults aged 16 and over. March 2026.
  • UK community OT barriers — Nicholson C, Francis J, Nielsen G, Lorencatto F. Barriers and enablers to providing community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder: an interview study with occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Br J Occup Ther. 2022;85:262-273.
  • Journey to diagnosis and care — Pritomanova S, et al. The journey to diagnosis and care of functional neurological disorder. PLoS One. 2026;21:e0328321.

A diagnosis needs more than a normal test

A functional diagnosis should use recognised positive findings from the right clinical assessment. A normal test or the absence of another answer is not enough.

  • Body sensory assessment considers the reported pattern, examination and possible neurological or medical explanations together.
  • Visual assessment may involve ophthalmology or neuro-ophthalmology and looks for positive inconsistency with recognised visual disease.
  • Hearing symptoms need audiological and medical assessment; a normal or variable result is not a self-diagnostic test.
  • Each test should answer a defined question, and the results conversation should explain what it found, what it cannot rule out and what happens next.

What to do next: Ask which positive finding supported the diagnosis, which symptom it explains and what alternative or coexisting explanations were considered.

Important limit: No symptom description, skin boundary, home vision check, hearing result, photograph or video proves FND by itself.

Sources and review information

Status: Owner released - source checked

Evidence check: Mapped to checked master-register claims

Jurisdiction: UK

Last checked: Check the linked live source

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Corrections: Use the site correction route without including personal health information.

  • WHO ICD-11 CDDR — World Health Organization. Clinical descriptions and diagnostic requirements for ICD-11 mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders. Geneva: WHO; 2024.
  • Diagnosis and management of FND — Aybek S, Perez DL. Diagnosis and management of functional neurological disorder. BMJ. 2022;376:o64.
  • Practical review for physicians — Bennett K, Diamond C, Hoeritzauer I, et al. A practical review of functional neurological disorder for the general physician. Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(1):28-36.
  • Current concepts — Espay AJ, Aybek S, Carson A, et al. Current concepts in diagnosis and treatment of functional neurological disorders. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(9):1132-1141.
  • Positive-sign accuracy review — Patwal R, Jolly AJ, Kumar A, Yadav R, Desai G, Thippeswamy H. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and investigations for functional weakness, sensory and movement disorders: a systematic review. J Psychosom Res. 2023;168:111196.
  • Cautionary diagnostic notes — Perez DL, Aybek S, Popkirov S, et al. Cautionary notes on diagnosing functional neurologic disorder as a neurologist-in-training. Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(1):e72-e76.
  • Seizure semiology meta-analysis — Muthusamy S, Seneviratne U, Ding C, Phan TG. Using semiology to classify epileptic seizures vs psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: a meta-analysis. Neurol Clin Pract. 2022;12(3):234-247.
  • Functional gait sign-based approach — Nonnekes J, Ruzicka E, Serranova T, Reich SG, Bloem BR, Hallett M. Functional gait disorders: a sign-based approach. Neurology. 2020;94(24):1093-1099.
  • NICE NG217 epilepsy diagnosis — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Epilepsies in children, young people and adults: diagnosis and assessment (NG217). Updated 30 January 2025.
  • Motor and sensory FND lived experience — Bailey C, Tamasauskas A, Bradley-Westguard A, et al. What are the experiences of people with motor and sensory FND? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Disabil Rehabil. 2025;47(1):1-15.
  • Explanation as treatment — Stone J, Carson A, Hallett M. Explanation as treatment for functional neurologic disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139:543-553.
  • Functional sensory symptoms — Stone J, Vermeulen M. Functional sensory symptoms. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139:271-281.
  • Functional vision diagnosis — Tao BKL, Xie JS, Margolin E. Functional vision disorder: a review of diagnosis, management and costs. Br J Ophthalmol. 2024;108(11):1479-1485.
  • WHO ICD-11 2026 — World Health Organization. ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, 2026-01 release.
  • Functional auditory disorders — Baguley DM, et al. Functional auditory disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139.

Dizziness is not one diagnosis

Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) is one recognised functional vestibular disorder. Dizziness can also relate to migraine, fainting, medicines, the heart and circulation, the autonomic nervous system, the inner ear or other causes.

  • PPPD has agreed criteria that must be applied clinically; an online description cannot diagnose it.
  • PPPD may be precipitated by or coexist with another vestibular, neurological, medical or psychological condition.
  • Similar words such as dizziness, unsteadiness or visual sensitivity do not show which condition is responsible.

What to do next: Describe when the dizziness happens, what makes it worse, whether it is persistent or episodic and which assessments have already occurred.

Important limit: This page provides no 'which dizziness condition?' quiz and no automatic triage or exercise programme.

Sources and review information

Status: Owner released - source checked

Evidence check: Mapped to checked master-register claims

Jurisdiction: UK

Last checked: Check the linked live source

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Corrections: Use the site correction route without including personal health information.

  • PPPD criteria — Staab JP, Eckhardt-Henn A, Horii A, et al. Diagnostic criteria for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: Barany Society consensus. J Vestib Res. 2017;27(4):191-208.
  • Autonomic disorder boundary — Blitshteyn S, et al. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other common autonomic disorders are not functional neurologic disorders. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1490744.
  • NICE NG127 referral — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral (NG127). Updated 2 October 2023.
  • NHS PoTS page — NHS. Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).
  • Overall FND comorbidities review — Guilhem Carle-Toulemonde, Julie Goutte, Nathalie Do-Quang-Cantagrel et al. Overall comorbidities in functional neurological disorder: A narrative review. Encephale. 2023;49(4S):S24-S32.

A new symptom still deserves a fresh look

An FND diagnosis does not make every future change in sensation, vision, hearing, smell, taste or dizziness functional. New, clearly changed or medically worrying symptoms should be checked.

  • Keep unresolved symptoms and separately diagnosed eye, ear, vestibular, migraine, neurological, autonomic or medical conditions visible.
  • Explain what is new or different, when it began, whether it persists and how it changes function or safety.
  • Ask whether the current diagnosis is intended to explain this specific symptom.

What to do next: Use the usual NHS urgent or emergency service when the change is worrying or needs prompt assessment.

Important limit: This is a reassessment boundary, not a symptom-by-symptom emergency algorithm or reassurance that a change is functional.

Sources and review information

Status: Owner released - source checked

Evidence check: Mapped to checked master-register claims

Jurisdiction: UK

Last checked: Check the linked live source

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Corrections: Use the site correction route without including personal health information.

  • FND subtypes and shared mechanisms — Hallett M, Aybek S, Dworetzky BA, McWhirter L, Staab JP, Stone J. Functional neurological disorder: new subtypes and shared mechanisms. Lancet Neurol. 2022;21(6):537-550.
  • Diagnosis and management of FND — Aybek S, Perez DL. Diagnosis and management of functional neurological disorder. BMJ. 2022;376:o64.
  • Cautionary diagnostic notes — Perez DL, Aybek S, Popkirov S, et al. Cautionary notes on diagnosing functional neurologic disorder as a neurologist-in-training. Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(1):e72-e76.
  • Epilepsy and functional seizures coexist — Kutlubaev MA, Xu Y, Hackett ML, Stone J. Dual diagnosis of epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsy Behav. 2018;89:70-78.
  • Functional gait sign-based approach — Nonnekes J, Ruzicka E, Serranova T, Reich SG, Bloem BR, Hallett M. Functional gait disorders: a sign-based approach. Neurology. 2020;94(24):1093-1099.
  • Migraine and FND overlap — Stone J, Coebergh JA, Khoja L, et al. Migraine and functional neurological disorder: a review of comorbidity and potential overlap. Brain Commun. 2025;7(4):fcaf288.
  • Practical review for physicians — Bennett K, Diamond C, Hoeritzauer I, et al. A practical review of functional neurological disorder for the general physician. Clin Med (Lond). 2021;21(1):28-36.
  • Functional sensory symptoms — Stone J, Vermeulen M. Functional sensory symptoms. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139:271-281.
  • Functional vision diagnosis — Tao BKL, Xie JS, Margolin E. Functional vision disorder: a review of diagnosis, management and costs. Br J Ophthalmol. 2024;108(11):1479-1485.
  • WHO ICD-11 2026 — World Health Organization. ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, 2026-01 release.
  • Functional auditory disorders — Baguley DM, et al. Functional auditory disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139.
  • Internal symptom taxonomy — FND Symptoms Comprehensive Evidence Guide. Internal project research catalogue; 2026.
  • NICE NG127 referral — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Suspected neurological conditions: recognition and referral (NG127). Updated 2 October 2023.
  • NICE FND quality statement — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Quality statement 5: Functional neurological disorders in adults (QS198). 2021.
  • Misdiagnosis in both directions — Walzl D, Carson AJ, Stone J. The misdiagnosis of functional disorders as other neurological conditions. J Neurol. 2019;266(8):2018-2026.
  • PPPD criteria — Staab JP, Eckhardt-Henn A, Horii A, et al. Diagnostic criteria for persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: Barany Society consensus. J Vestib Res. 2017;27(4):191-208.
  • Autonomic disorder boundary — Blitshteyn S, et al. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other common autonomic disorders are not functional neurologic disorders. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1490744.
  • NHS PoTS page — NHS. Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).

Prepare for the next appointment

A short description in your own words can make the next conversation easier without turning the page into a self-test.

  • Use your own words for the symptom and note the body area or sense involved.
  • Record when it began, whether it is constant or episodic and the situations that change it.
  • List relevant diagnoses, medicines, assessments and what each test was meant to answer.
  • Describe one activity or environment the symptom interrupts.
  • Record access needs such as lower light, less noise, communication support, rest or a different appointment format.

What to do next: Use Treatment and living to prepare questions, or Find help to understand available information and assessment routes.

Important limit: Preparation does not establish a diagnosis, select a treatment or replace individual assessment.

Sources and review information

Status: Owner released - source checked

Evidence check: Mapped to checked master-register claims

Jurisdiction: UK

Last checked: Check the linked live source

Prepared by: Project editorial team

Owner release date: 2026-07-22

Independent review: Not independently reviewed

Corrections: Use the site correction route without including personal health information.

  • Positive-sign accuracy review — Patwal R, Jolly AJ, Kumar A, Yadav R, Desai G, Thippeswamy H. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and investigations for functional weakness, sensory and movement disorders: a systematic review. J Psychosom Res. 2023;168:111196.
  • Cautionary diagnostic notes — Perez DL, Aybek S, Popkirov S, et al. Cautionary notes on diagnosing functional neurologic disorder as a neurologist-in-training. Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(1):e72-e76.
  • Seizure semiology meta-analysis — Muthusamy S, Seneviratne U, Ding C, Phan TG. Using semiology to classify epileptic seizures vs psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: a meta-analysis. Neurol Clin Pract. 2022;12(3):234-247.
  • Functional gait sign-based approach — Nonnekes J, Ruzicka E, Serranova T, Reich SG, Bloem BR, Hallett M. Functional gait disorders: a sign-based approach. Neurology. 2020;94(24):1093-1099.
  • NICE NG217 epilepsy diagnosis — National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Epilepsies in children, young people and adults: diagnosis and assessment (NG217). Updated 30 January 2025.
  • Diagnosis and management of FND — Aybek S, Perez DL. Diagnosis and management of functional neurological disorder. BMJ. 2022;376:o64.
  • Motor and sensory FND lived experience — Bailey C, Tamasauskas A, Bradley-Westguard A, et al. What are the experiences of people with motor and sensory FND? A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative studies. Disabil Rehabil. 2025;47(1):1-15.
  • Explanation as treatment — Stone J, Carson A, Hallett M. Explanation as treatment for functional neurologic disorders. Handb Clin Neurol. 2016;139:543-553.
  • Misdiagnosis in both directions — Walzl D, Carson AJ, Stone J. The misdiagnosis of functional disorders as other neurological conditions. J Neurol. 2019;266(8):2018-2026.
  • BPS FND psychology guidance — British Psychological Society. Functional Neurological Disorder: Neuropsychological and psychological management in children and adults. Division of Neuropsychology Policy Unit FND Working Group. 2024.
  • Wales FND national optimal pathway — NHS Wales Performance and Improvement, Neurological Conditions Network. National Optimal Pathway for Functional Neurological Disorder: adults aged 16 and over. March 2026.
  • UK community OT barriers — Nicholson C, Francis J, Nielsen G, Lorencatto F. Barriers and enablers to providing community-based occupational therapy to people with functional neurological disorder: an interview study with occupational therapists in the United Kingdom. Br J Occup Ther. 2022;85:262-273.
  • Journey to diagnosis and care — Pritomanova S, et al. The journey to diagnosis and care of functional neurological disorder. PLoS One. 2026;21:e0328321.