03/11/2026
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) does not have a single cause. Research suggests it often develops from a combination of factors that affect how the brain and nervous system communicate.
For some individuals, experiences such as stress, trauma, illness, injury, or major life transitions may play a role. Many people with FND also experience conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
At the same time, many individuals with FND do not identify a clear stressor or traumatic event before symptom onset.
At the Boulder Center for NeuroHealth, we have also noticed a correlation between FND and individuals who identify as highly sensitive, meaning their nervous systems process sensory and emotional information more deeply.
Rather than viewing symptoms as something the body is “doing wrong,” we understand FND symptoms as signals from a nervous system that has become dysregulated and is working hard to adapt.
With the right support, education, and tools for nervous system regulation, many people with FND can experience meaningful recovery and reconnection.