Lisa McHugh Singer Opens Up About Shocking Health Diagnosis After Traumatic Year
Lisa McHugh, the well-known country music star, has revealed she’s been diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), following what she describes as one of the toughest periods of her life.
The Enniskillen-based artist broke the news to fans on Instagram, describing recent weeks as “an incredibly scary and very difficult couple of weeks in hospital.”
FND is a condition that causes communication breakdowns between the brain and body. It can lead to a range of serious symptoms—movement difficulties, limb weakness, sensory issues, and seizures among them.
In her emotional update, the Scottish-born singer pointed to the emotional toll of recent personal challenges. Last year, her baby daughter faced a terrifying health scare, spending ten days in hospital after contracting RSV, a dangerous respiratory virus that mainly affects infants and the elderly.
“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…” she shared with followers.
The strain of it all, she believes, was too much. Her body simply hit the brakes. McHugh, known for her heartfelt lyrics and strong fanbase, hasn’t held back in recent years about how much motherhood has shifted her perspective.
In a 2022 interview with Hot Press, she said: “Until you’re actually in that position, I don’t think you realise how much your entire life, and the entire way you look at life, changes.”
Now, with the FND diagnosis, Lisa faces a new reality. While the disorder itself has no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms. Therapy, physical rehab, and lifestyle changes are key.
But that’s not all. Earlier this year, Lisa was also diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia, a chronic condition affecting facial nerves, often described as one of the most painful disorders known in medicine.
“It’s quite a lot to wrap your head around. So I need to drastically adapt things in my life right now and for the future to reduce the severity of the symptoms in any future flare-ups,” she said honestly.
There’s no doubt her fans will be heartbroken to hear she’s stepping back from the spotlight, at least for a while.
To allow time for healing, she’s putting her health first. “I guess the stress and trauma of this last year and everything we’ve gone through has finally caught up with me and my body, and it’s now decided to make me physically stop, process, and heal from everything properly,” reads her post.
Lisa’s openness has sparked support across the music community, with fans and fellow artists flooding her page with messages of encouragement.
