Hello! My name is Madiah and I am a 21-year-old survivor of Autoimmune Anti-NMDA Encephalitis. I underwent this life-changing illness when I was 19 years old during my first year of university. I became encephalitis free within three months and ever since my interest in neurology has heightened and I have been passionate about sharing information on this unheard-of illness.

I believe awareness of encephalitis need to be raised so that it can be recognised and diagnosed correctly but also, due to its rarity, I feel a community of survivors should be built so that we can actively contribute towards each-others development and even contribute to research.

I start this blog in hope of reassuring those who may be suffering/suffered from a similar situation, that like me, you should be determined that the illness will not define your abilities or character. Instead, use this unique experience to be even more ambitious in life in fulfilling your purpose, whether that be regarding work, family or faith as you now truly know the meaning of "it could all end tomorrow."

Brain swamp 

Imagine a bowl, sand is being poured into this bowl slowly, every now and then small amounts of water is being poured into this bowl forming sandy clumps. Now imagine the bowl is your brain. You struggle to think or move your head because your head is heavily saturated like a swamp.  Ever experienced this excruciating feeling? 

This was my first encounter of autoimmune anti-NMDA encephalitis. Within a week of having this heavy cranial sensation along with major sound and light sensitivity - my consciousness was lost and I was admitted into intensive care (ICU).

At the beginning of 2016 I had so many goals which would shape my life, for example, applying to medical school. I'd scored an overall first in my January exams and I was en-route to achieving one of my lifelong ambitions.

I'd classify myself as a "busy bee". My mind was one that operated quickly and I was someone who could deal without to do lists and memos. I studied hard and socialised harder because my hard-work always paid off - something that would be instrumental in my recovery.

Now imagine the sand-swamp feeling in your head whilst being a "busy bee", physically you can continue about your actions but you can't make sense of anything - the start of confusion and irritation, I call this the inflammation impact. 

One week into my second semester the inflammation impact took its toll, I became irritated because I couldn’t concentrate and stressed because I couldn’t understand the fluctuating head pain I would feel. The fever is what led me to the GP, I mentioned the headaches, light and sound sensitivity but was told to rest and wait a week and come back if there was no improvement. One week was too late, encephalitis only waited 3 days.

Being a young healthy person who was doing well at University this unheard-of illness was a huge shock to the system. However, I start this blog in hope of reassuring those who may be suffering from a similar situation, that like me, you should be determined that the illness does not define your abilities or character. 

Instead use it to be even more ambitious in life in fulfilling your purpose, whether that be regarding work, family or faith as you now truly know the meaning of "it could all end tomorrow".

*If you have any questions or comments for Madiah about her blog, please email [email protected]