Understanding Functional Symptoms

Why They’re Common — and Why Support Matters for Everyone

Functional symptoms are incredibly common in children and young people, especially during times of stress, change, or pressure. They are real, physical symptoms such as: tummy aches, headaches, dizziness, nausea, shaking, or feeling faint. They happen because the body’s “alarm system” is working overtime rather than because of a medical disease or injury. The person experiencing these symptoms may also genuinely not feel “stressed”.

For many young people, these symptoms come and go. For others, they can become more persistent and start to affect school, friendships, or confidence. For a smaller group, symptoms can develop into specific functional conditions, such as NEAD (Non‑Epileptic Attack Disorder). NEAD is one part of the wider functional symptoms picture, but it sits on the same spectrum: the brain and body reacting to stress, overwhelm, or emotional load in a physical way.

What’s important to know is this:

Functional symptoms are common, real, and treatable: young people are not “making it up”.

Their bodies are responding to something, even if tests come back normal.

Why exam season makes symptoms louder

As exam time approaches, many young people notice their bodies reacting more strongly. Even if they don’t feel “stressed” in the traditional sense, the combination of pressure, expectations, tiredness, and routine changes can activate the body’s threat system. When that system switches on, physical symptoms often follow.

Common examples include:

• Tummy aches before school or revision

• Headaches that appear during busy days

• Dizziness when standing up quickly

• Shaky legs or a racing heart before an exam

• Feeling sick in the mornings

• Trouble sleeping or waking up tired

These symptoms can feel frightening, confusing, or frustrating, especially when there’s no clear medical explanation. But they make sense once you understand how closely the brain and body are connected.

Where NEAD fits in

NEAD is one type of functional symptom where the body has episodes that look like seizures but are not caused by electrical activity in the brain. Instead, they’re the body’s way of expressing distress or overload.

Young people with NEAD often experience other functional symptoms too: headaches, fatigue, dizziness, pain, or sensory overwhelm. But you don’t need to have NEAD to benefit from the same approaches that help the nervous system settle.

That’s why the wellbeing section of this website is designed for all young people, not just those with NEAD.

Support that helps everyone

The strategies that help with functional symptoms are the same ones that support a healthy, regulated nervous system. They’re simple, practical, and accessible:

• grounding techniques

• breathing exercises

• sleep routines

• pacing and rest

• movement and gentle exercise

• understanding triggers

• managing exam stress

• building confidence and self‑trust

These tools are helpful whether a young person has occasional tummy aches or a diagnosed functional condition.

A message for young people and families

Functional symptoms can feel worrying, but they are understandable and manageable. With the right support, young people can learn what helps their bodies settle, regain confidence, and feel more in control.

The wellbeing resources on this website are here to offer calm, clear guidance for anyone experiencing functional symptoms, especially as exam season approaches.