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Why Is It So Hard to Fix a Dysfunctional Nervous System?

Writer's picture: FND HealthFND Health

Updated: Jan 23


Let’s talk about the nervous system—it’s your body’s ultimate puppet master, pulling all the strings to keep everything in sync. It ensures you see, hear, and feel the world clearly, makes your heart beat in rhythm, and keeps your stomach digesting that midnight snack.


But when the wires get tangled, the puppet master loses control. Pull a string for the arm, and suddenly the leg is moving. Messages get crossed, and chaos takes over.


And that chaos is why recovery feels so overwhelming.


Why Is It So Hard to Fix a Dysfunctional Nervous System?

Sensory Overload: Your Nervous System’s SOS

Let’s start with the obvious stuff—the sensory chaos. You know, the lights that suddenly feel like lasers, the background hum that Sounds like a jack hammer, or the way your favourite cosy sweater now feels like it’s made of steel wool.


What’s going on here?


Your sensory nervous system is in overdrive. It’s supposed to send signals to your brain like, “Hey, there’s a nice breeze!” Instead, it’s screaming, “INCOMING THUNDERSTORM!”  One of the first things you might notice when your nervous system becomes dysfunctional is how even normal, everyday sensations feel overwhelming.


Here’s how it might show up:


  • Light Sensitivity: Your eyes suddenly hate sunlight—or any light, really. Cue the sunglasses indoors.

  • Sound Sensitivity: The gentle hum of your fridge? It now feels like standing next to a roaring jet engine—loud, overwhelming, and impossible to ignore.

  • Taste Changes: One day, your favourite meal tastes amazing; the next, everything’s bland, like chewing cardboard.

  • Touch Sensitivity: Even a gentle pat on the back feels like an electric shock.


Your brain is struggling to process these sensory signals, and it’s throwing everything into overdrive.




The Sneaky Gut Connection

Now let’s dive deeper. Your gut and your brain? Besties. They’re constantly chatting through something called the gut-brain axis. When your nervous system is hypersensitive, this connection becomes fragile. Suddenly, your body reacts to certain foods the same way it reacts to lights and noise—like an over-sensitive alarm system. Here’s how it plays out:


  • Food Sensitivities: That slice of pizza you used to love? Now, your body treats it like an enemy. The response isn’t immediate, so you might not realize the cause right away, but hours later, your body is in turmoil. It’s like a warning system going off, sending stress signals that amplify your discomfort.


  • Stress Feedback Loops: Your gut sends distress signals to your brain, which turns up the volume on your stress response, further irritating your gut. It’s like a vicious cycle, where both sides make everything worse, creating an unbreakable loop of stress.


Science backs this up—the vagus nerve, the main communicator between your gut and brain, plays a crucial role here. When it’s out of sync, you can experience bloating, discomfort, and inflammation, all while your nervous system is already on high alert.



Exercise: Friend or Foe?

Physical activity, the thing that’s supposed to make you feel good, can turn into your worst enemy. Why?


  • Overactive Sensory Nerves: Movement activates these nerves, which send signals to your brain and spinal cord. In a healthy system, that’s fine. In a dysregulated one, it’s like a fire alarm going off for no reason.

  • Delayed Reactions: You go for a walk and feel okay. Hours later? Boom—fatigue, pain, or dizziness hits. Read more about Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM).


Why Is It So Hard to Fix a Dysfunctional Nervous System?

Your Brain’s Role in the Drama

Here’s the kicker: your own thoughts can sabotage your recovery. When you’re constantly worrying about symptoms, you’re adding fuel to the fire.


  • Fight-or-Flight Mode: Your sympathetic nervous system is stuck in overdrive, convinced you’re under attack.

  • Symptom Amplification: Stress and fear crank up your nervous system dysfunction, creating a vicious cycle.


Studies show that even the perception of threat can make physical symptoms worse. It’s like your brain is playing tricks on you. Learn about the impact of chronic stress on the nervous system.



Don’t Forget Your Environment

Now, add your surroundings into the mix. Maybe the air quality is poor, there’s constant noise, or social stressors are weighing you down.


These external factors are like extra knots in the tangled wires, making it even harder for the puppet master to pull the right strings. Each new strain or distraction adds more chaos, and the recovery process feels like trying to untangle a mess that keeps getting bigger.



Breaking Down the Science

Here’s the deal: your nervous system has two main players:


  1. Central Nervous System (CNS): The brain and spinal cord—basically, the command centre.


  2. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): This handles stuff you don’t think about, like your heartbeat and digestion. It’s split into:


    • Sympathetic Nervous System: The “fight or flight” mode.

    • Parasympathetic Nervous System: The “rest and digest” mode.


When the ANS gets dysregulated, it’s like a seesaw stuck on one side. Your body stays in stress mode, and recovery slows to a crawl. Dive deeper into ANS dysfunction.


Why Is It So Hard to Fix a Dysfunctional Nervous System?

So, Why Is Recovery So Tough?

Because it’s not just one thing. It’s everything:


  • Calming the Nervous System: You need tools like mindfulness, pacing, and vagus nerve exercises.

  • Dietary Tweaks: Anti-inflammatory foods, probiotics, and ditching sugar can help balance the gut-brain axis.

  • Gradual Activity: Pushing too hard backfires, so pacing is key.

  • Mental Reset: Learning to manage your thoughts and emotions can help break the stress cycle.



The Bottom Line

When the nervous system is dysfunctional, it’s like the wires have become hopelessly knotted. The puppet master is doing its best, but the signals aren’t going where they’re supposed to. Your body feels unpredictable, out of sync, and utterly exhausting to live in.


Recovery is about untangling those wires, one small step at a time. Each mindful breath, moment of rest, or positive habit is like slowly bringing order to the chaos.


As the wires untangle, clarity returns. The puppet master regains control, and your body begins to work in harmony again. It’s not an overnight fix, but with patience and the right tools, the climb to recovery becomes manageable.


Step by step, you can reclaim your balance, your harmony, and ultimately, your life.



References and Further Reading


  • Understanding Sensory Processing


    Sensory overload happens when the nervous system becomes overwhelmed by stimuli like sounds, lights, or textures. This can lead to physical and emotional distress, particularly in individuals with heightened sensitivity. Learn more about the causes, symptoms, and coping strategies here: Healthline: Understanding Sensory Overload.


The Gut-Brain Axis

  • The Vagus Nerve and its Role


    The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating communication between the gut and brain. Studies show that improving gut health can have a calming effect on the nervous system. For an in-depth look at this connection and its implications for health, see: PubMed Central: Gut-Brain Axis Research.


Exercise and Nervous System Recovery

  • Why Exercise Feels Harder with a Dysregulated Nervous System


    People with nervous system dysfunction often find physical activity more challenging due to delayed-onset symptoms like fatigue, pain, or heightened sensitivity. Learn about these effects and strategies for managing them: PubMed: Exercise-Induced Nervous System Effects.


Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation

  • The ANS and Chronic Conditions


    Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) can lead to chronic conditions such as POTS, dysautonomia, and other nervous system disorders. Understanding how the ANS functions and how it can become imbalanced is key to addressing these conditions. Explore more in this resource: Cleveland Clinic: Dysautonomia.


Practical Tools for Recovery

  • Mindfulness Exercises for Calming the Nervous System


    Mindfulness exercises, such as deep breathing and meditation, are proven methods for calming an overactive nervous system.

  • Diet and Nervous System Health


    The gut-brain axis underscores the importance of diet in nervous system recovery. Anti-inflammatory foods, probiotics, and avoiding stimulants can significantly support healing. For more insights, visit: Cornerstone Physio: Autonomic Nervous System Recovery.





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