Ask Dr Louise

I’ve always been a sensitive person and over the years I’ve battled with anxiety. Recently I took a nap on a Saturday afternoon and when I woke up I was unable to move my entire body for quite a while. It was really frightening.

My doctor says there’s no physiological reason for what happened and has suggested that I consult with a psychologist. What could be happening to me? Lorainne, email

If there’s no known physical reason for the paralysis it would be considered a functional neurological symptom disorder.

This is a condition characterised by neurological symptoms such as weakness, paralysis, abnormal movements of the body such as tremors, gait abnormalities and abnormal limb posturing.

Sufferers can also have blackouts and sensory symptoms involving skin sensations and hearing or vision problems.

The brain of someone with this disorder is structurally normal, but there’s a problem with the functioning of the nervous system and how the brain sends and receives signals.

This disorder can also manifest in dissociative symptoms such as out of body experiences or amnesia relating to some aspect of an event.

The symptoms are often triggered by anxiety and experts agree that the best treatment for this problem is behavioural therapy or hypnotherapy.

So your doctor’s recommendation that you should consult with a psychologist is in fact correct.

‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy’ – MARTIN LUTHER KING JNR, AMERICAN CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST