Journal of
eISSN: 2373-6410
Submit manuscript...
Case Report Volume 16 Issue 4
Psychogenic unresponsiveness: a functional neurological disorder on the border zone between neurology, clinical psychology & psychiatry
Ganesh Nagre, Nitin K Sethi, Anurag Mahajan, Shrey Singh
Received: January 08, 2026 | Published: August 18, 2026
Citation: Nagre G, Sethi NK, Mahajan A, et al. Psychogenic unresponsiveness: a functional neurological disorder on the border zone between neurology, clinical psychology & psychiatry. J Neurol Stroke. 2026;16(4):155-156 DOI: 10.15406/jnsk.2026.16.00665
Abstract
Psychogenic unresponsiveness is a rare manifestation of functional neurological disorder (FND), presenting as apparent loss of consciousness without structural, metabolic, or toxic abnormalities. Its close resemblance to coma and related DOC places it at a challenging diagnostic intersection of neurology, clinical psychology, and psychiatry. We describe a patient with prolonged unresponsiveness who underwent extensive acute neurological evaluation. Unremarkable neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies and preserved brainstem reflexes were inconsistent with true coma. A multidisciplinary assessment ultimately led to the diagnosis of psychogenic unresponsiveness. Our case underscores the diagnostic complexity of psychogenic unresponsiveness and highlights the importance of early recognition to avoid unnecessary interventions and iatrogenic harm. Integrated care across neurology, psychiatry, and clinical psychology is essential for accurate diagnosis and optimal outcomes.
Keywords: functional neurological disorder, FND, Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS), weakness
©2026 Nagre, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.