The exact cause of FND is unknown. It features nervous system (neurological) symptoms that can’t be explained by any known neurological disease or other medical condition. At the time FND beginnings, studies have shown that there may be trigger factors like a physical injury, infectious illness, panic or migraine, physical or psychological traumatic.
| BIOLOGICAL | PSYCHOLOGICAL | SOCIAL | |
| PREDISPOSING | • Genetic factors • Structural disease | • Personality Traits • Depression / Anxiety | Adverse Experiences |
| PRECIPITATING | • Physical injury / illness • Acute dissociation | Concern / attention about bodily symptoms | Stressful Life Events |
| PERPETUATING | • Changes in nervous system function • Subtle neuroendocrine changes | • Worry about cause • Avoidance of symptoms • Anger / Frustration / Depression | • Not being believed • Stigma of an undiagnosed illness • Loss of job / independent income |
neurosymptoms.com
The cause of FND is presumed by many clinicians to be psychological distress, but this is not the experience of at least 30% of FND patients. The crisis of FND is a crisis of ideology, a direct product of an illegitimate perceived division between neurology and psychiatry.
It is clear that we are far from identifying the most effective treatment approach. Identifying biomarkers utilizing clinical neurophysiology and neuroimaging must be given priority.
Stigma and marginalization
Recent scientific research involving Functional MRI technology have shown the symptoms are real and cause significant distress or problems functioning. Symptoms are not under voluntary control of the patient. An illness that was formally invisible has now become visible with the help of advancements in technology. However, this technology is not available in hospitals or clinics and most clinicians are not aware of the latest research… The stigma and marginalization of FND patients continues at great cost to the patients.