Living with a condition that sits between neurology and mental health can be difficult to explain, especially when it is not immediately visible.

On the outside, I can still communicate, think, and engage. But internally, I experience unpredictable episodes that affect my awareness, my body, and my ability to function consistently.

My symptoms includes seizure-like or dissociative experiences, as well as central sleep apnea that requires the use of medical support devices. These are not occasional inconveniences, but serious conditions that affect basic functioning and safety. At times, I have had to step away from work or responsibilities, not by choice, but because my body could no longer function in that moment.

My diagnosis Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) reflect the complex relationship between the brain and the mind, yet they often do not appear the way people expect illness to look. In Sarawak, there is a dedicated neuropsychiatrist team, who supports patients living with these complex conditions. However, globally, FND remains widely misunderstood, with limited awareness and challenges in diagnosis. It is often invisible on the outside, but its impact is deeply real; disrupting daily routines, affecting independence, and leaving individuals feeling as though they have lost control over their own bodies.

One of my biggest challenges is not just the condition itself, but the stigma that comes with being unseen. When symptoms are invisible, they are often dismissed. When functioning appears inconsistent, people may assume it is a lack of effort, motivation, or discipline. Over time, stigma replaces understanding, and disbelief becomes another burden to carry. I have experienced how quickly perception can change; from being seen as capable, to being questioned, within the same environment. The absence of visible symptoms does not mean the absence of real limitations or disability.

Mental health and neurological conditions often exist together. They influence each other, and both deserve to be taken seriously, not only in healthcare systems, but also in workplaces and communities. Support does not always mean solving everything. What many individuals in similar situations need is not pressure, but understanding.

Understanding that not everything can be pushed through, sometimes it means allowing flexibility.
Understanding that inconsistency does not mean lack of effort, sometimes it means reducing pressure for consistency.
Understanding that invisible symptoms are still real, sometimes it means recognising struggles that cannot be seen.
Understanding that living with such conditions requires ongoing adjustment, not simply willpower, sometimes it means not being told to “push through” or “stay strong.”

Mental health advocacy must include real-life experiences, where brain and mental health conditions overlap, and where people are often not recognised because their illness cannot be seen.

Mental Health Association Sarawak (MHAS) provides a platform for people living with mental illness, caregivers, and professionals. By listening to lived experiences, we can reduce stigma and build a system where being “invisible” does not mean being “not real.”

Every condition that cannot be seen still deserves to be believed and taken seriously. If it cannot be seen, it does not make it less real, it only makes it easier to overlook.