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Fermanagh, July 15, 2025 — Renowned Fermanagh-born country music star Lisa McHugh has announced she will be taking an extended break from her career following a recent diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Trigeminal Neuralgia.
In a heartfelt social media post shared today, McHugh detailed the “incredibly scary and very difficult” past few weeks she has spent in hospital undergoing a battery of medical tests including CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, blood work, and a lumbar puncture. These investigations culminated in the diagnosis of FND — a neurological condition that disrupts the way the brain sends and receives signals to the body.
According to McHugh, FND can cause a wide range of debilitating symptoms such as limb weakness, paralysis, seizures, walking difficulties, muscle spasms, sensory disruptions, and cognitive impairments. Alongside this, she has been battling Trigeminal Neuralgia, a chronic facial pain condition that was diagnosed earlier in the year.
“There’s no cure [for FND], but it is treatable — providing you adapt your life as much as possible to manage it,” McHugh explained. She suggested that stress, trauma, and anxiety, common triggers of FND, may have contributed to her current state. “I guess the stress and trauma of this last year and everything we’ve went through has finally caught up with me and my body.”
McHugh described a harrowing decline from initially entering hospital with a severe headache and facial pain to eventually losing function in both legs. She is now relearning to walk with the aid of a zimmer frame. “It’s quite a lot to wrap your head around,” she admitted.
Despite the challenges, McHugh expressed deep gratitude for the medical care she received at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH). She acknowledged the dedication of “the doctors, specialists, nurses & staff” who supported her throughout her hospital stay.
In light of her health situation, McHugh has decided to “sign off and take time out from everything” in order to fully recover. She concluded her message with thanks for public support and a promise to focus on healing: “I’ll soak up this time with my beautiful family and be grateful for every day.”
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information reported by The Fermanagh Herald on July 15, 2025. It does not constitute medical advice. Readers seeking more information about Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
