Story at-a-glance
- There’s a growing trend to label long COVID and injuries from COVID-19 shots “functional neurological disorders” (FND), making some patients feel like the medical community thinks their symptoms are “all in their head”
- Half of people with long COVID symptoms fit the criteria to be diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), which often flares up after viral infection
- There’s a lack of consensus and definitions when it comes to FND and its potential treatments, even among those who are considered experts in the field
- FND has also been used as a diagnosis to explain away adverse reactions to COVID-19 shots
- Long COVID symptoms share many similarities with post-jab injuries, and it’s likely both are rooted in mitochondrial dysfunction; improving your mitochondrial function will help reverse the problems caused by the jab or the virus
Long COVID continues to debilitate a significant number of U.S. adults — 7.5%, or 1 in 13,1 are struggling with a range of symptoms that make up this complex condition. Among those who have had COVID-19, 11% say they currently have long COVID,2 which often includes unrelenting fatigue, respiratory symptoms, neurological difficulties and joint or muscle pain, all of which may become worse after physical or mental exertion.3