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Science Write Now
The Science Write Now (SWN) Podcast is a podcast for people who love science and the arts. If you’re interested in learning more about great books, plays, and films; writing, research or editing; the lives of scientists; and creative insights into contemporary science; then you’ve come to the right place! The SWN Podcast is hosted and produced by the SWN editorial team with funding from the Australia Council for the Arts. www.sciencewritenow.com
Science Write Now
Cognitive Conversations #9 Language Matters: Re-writing the Narrative of Functional Neurological Disorders (FND)
This week on the SWN podcast, we chat to neurologists Dr Alex Lehn and Dr David Palmer with sociolinguistic expert, Dr Shelley Dawson on re-writing the narrative of functional neurological disorders (FND) and why labels — and language — matter.
Functional neurological disorders are one of the most common disorders you’ve never heard of. But an estimated 4 to 12 out of 100,000 people develop FND, and it’s the second most common presentation in neurology clinics worldwide. Tests and scans such as MRIs and EEG can’t pick up functional issues, however; leaving patients misdiagnosed, or dismissed entirely. This is where the arts — the power of our stories and language — come in.
In this conversation, we get to the heart of our grey matter, exploring a topic that is deeply personal and yet widely felt in our communities, among patients, allied health professionals and medical experts. An issue that is largely invisible and yet deceptively common. We uncover the historical basis, harmful discourse, and pervasive mythologies underpinning functional disorders, and what the future holds in terms of emerging research at the intersection of mind, brain and body.
It’s time to re-write the narrative.
Access the FULL SHOW NOTES on the SWN website.
Cognitive Conversations is hosted by Bianca Millroy. This episode was recorded and produced in Meanjin, Brisbane.
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We acknowledge the Jaegara and Turrbal People, Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is created, and the unceded cultural lands on which our guests live and continue to make and tell stories.
