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Psychology Today – The Inflamed Brain (January 2025)

Mental Health and the Inflamed Brain

By Dr James Marsh

Encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain often caused by infections or autoimmune processes, is a serious and sometimes life-altering condition. While the acute symptoms of encephalitis—including seizures, confusion, and headaches—are typically the focus of initial medical attention, an equally pressing but often overlooked aspect is the long-term mental health outcomes experienced by survivors of the condition. The prevalence of psychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, among encephalitis patients raises important questions about the need for ongoing mental health care and proactive intervention.

The high rates of psychiatric disorders following encephalitis could stem from a plethora of intersecting causes, including inflammatory effects on neural pathways, response to medication, residual symptoms, and adjustment to the repercussions of decreased functional status and physical disability. This post explores the mental health implications of encephalitis and emphasizes the need for a more holistic approach to patient recovery.

Visit   Mental Health and the Inflamed Brain  to find out more about the mental health challenges faced by encephalitis survivors   and the implications of these challenges for the process of recovery.

Page Created: 4 February 2025
Last Modified: 31 January 2025
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