Hidden cause of mental illness: In autoimmune encephalitis, misguided antibodies attack nerve cells in the brain. Few clinics are prepared for this.
At the beginning of 2009, Susannah Cahalan’s condition began to deteriorate rapidly. In February, the New York journalist was still feeling a strange tiredness. In March, she was already suffering her first seizures. What followed was a recurring cycle of horror: hallucinations, bouts of aggression, emergency room visits. The cause remained unclear. The 24-year-old was clearly at the beginning of a career as a long-term patient. As a final attempt at diagnosis, her doctor ordered an experimental test for a newly discovered form of brain inflammation caused by the patient’s own immune system: autoimmune encephalitis. The result was positive.
Source: Stern
I’m Caroline, a journalist and author for 24 Hours Worlds. I specialize in health-related news and stories, bringing real-world impact to readers across the globe. With my experience in journalism and writing in both print and online formats, I strive to provide reliable information that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
