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  1. Raising awareness
  2. Your stories

Your Stories

Your stories help to raise awareness of encephalitis among the general public and encourage and inspire others whose lives are only just beginning after encephalitis.

Submit your story

We also welcome short films, vlogs, music and more - if you would like to submit any media to us for consideration, please email [email protected] or call +44(0)1653 692583.

A letter from your brain

A Letter from Your Brain by Stephanie St. Claire may help you understand what happens with your brain after encephalitis. Read more

Published: 25th January, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Alan's Story

Alan's wife, Celia, fell ill with a rare form of encephalitis called sub-acute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE). Here he shares their story and his reasons for supporting the Encephalitis Society Read more

Published: 24th August, 2017

Updated: 20th May, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Anais' Story

Anaïs, from Dublin, was 15 when she fell ill with encephalitis and her 'brain rewired'. This is her story. Read more

Published: 30th July, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Ana's Story

Ana, from Minnesota, was a happy 10-year-old when she came down with flu-like symptoms. Within days, she couldn't eat, write or wash her hair. She was later diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis. Read more

Published: 28th June, 2018

Updated: 20th May, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Andrew's story

Andrew was affected by rhombencephalitis last year. Sadly, he passed away. His mum, Karen, talks about her son's illness and shares her eulogy to him. Read more

Published: 15th March, 2019

Updated: 20th May, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Annabelle's story

Nearly a year ago, Annabelle was affected by encephalitis. Her parents wanted to do something to mark the occasion and represent the fight that Annabelle and others in a similar situation have to go through. Read more

Published: 24th October, 2017

Updated: 20th May, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Annette's Story

Annette, from East Sussex, had heard of encephalitis but didn't know what it was until she fell ill with meningoencephalitis in 2018. Today, she is still discovering what the side-effects of her illness will be. Read more

Published: 27th September, 2018

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Aoife's Story

Aoife, 14, from Dublin was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis in 2016. Her mum, Louise, tells her story. Read more

Published: 8th January, 2019

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Ayomide's story

Ayomide from London was 17 when she fell ill with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Her mum, Aramide, tells her story. Read more

Published: 15th February, 2019

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Bruno's story

Bruno fell ill with viral encephalitis when he was 16 years old. He explains the impact it had on him at the time, and today as a 49-year-old father of two. Read more

Published: 20th September, 2018

Updated: 13th August, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Charles's Story

Charles' circumstances dramatically changed when, in November 1981, he contracted viral encephalitis whilst loading a ship in Cardiff. Read more

Published: 30th July, 2018

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: olive ferguson

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Clair's Story

WATCH - When Clair woke up in hospital after falling ill with encephalitis, she had no idea that the people by her bedside were her parents. Her dad, Mark, tells her story. Read more

Published: 20th June, 2019

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Corinna's story

Corinna, a travel writer from Australia, fell ill with Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis and talks about her illness and the lessons she has learned as she continues her recovery Read more

Published: 10th July, 2019

Updated: 11th July, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Dave's Story - Part One

Dave was affected by autoimmune encephalitis in January 2016. In part one of his story, he writes about falling ill and his treatment. Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Dave's Story - Part Two

Dave, from Midlothian, Scotland, was affected by autoimmune encephalitis in January 2016. In part two of his story, he gives an update on his recovery and progress. Read more

Published: 31st May, 2018

Updated: 24th June, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Elisabeth's story

Elisabeth, from Tours, France, 'discovered hell' when she fell ill with autoimmune encephalitis as a 19-year-old. Read more

Published: 10th April, 2018

Updated: 22nd July, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Erin's Story

Erin, from New South Wales, Australia, was five when she fell ill with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Her mum, Michelle, tells her story. Read more

Published: 27th March, 2018

Updated: 22nd July, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Frances' story

I am a 24 year-old woman living in Kent who was recently diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis. I was discharged from hospital in April but during my stay, I wrote an account of what I was going through. I hope it is of interest to other sufferers Read more

Published: 27th June, 2018

Updated: 28th June, 2018

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Gary's story

Gary, from Detroit, was eight years old when he fell ill with measles, which then transitioned into encephalitis. The armed forces veteran, now 77, talks about his experiences and shares his advice for anyone going through a similar situation. Read more

Published: 4th April, 2019

Updated: 22nd July, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Hannah's story

Hannah, a teacher and mum, fell ill with encephalitis in October 2017. This is her story so far. Read more

Published: 28th December, 2017

Updated: 22nd July, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Hannah's Story

Hannah, from Dublin, was hospitalised days after her 21st birthday and treated for depression, anxiety and borderline psychosis before she was diagnosed her with Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis. This is her story. Read more

Published: 19th June, 2018

Updated: 20th June, 2018

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Hannah's Story - Part 2

November 12, 2018, marks one year since Hannah woke up in the hospital after falling ill with Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis. In her second blog, she writes about the past year and the progress she has been making. Read more

Published: 8th November, 2018

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Hazel's Story

'I am more than my brain injury. I am a business owner, a leader, an achiever, a volunteer, a sister, a granddaughter, a daughter. I am a survivor.' Hazel, from New Zealand, was affected by encephalitis in 2010. Read her story. Read more

Published: 8th January, 2019

Updated: 22nd July, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Imogen's Story

Imogen's life changed when she was affected by limbic encephalitis at the age of 17 Read more

Published: 24th August, 2017

Updated: 23rd September, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

Isabella's Story

Isabella was a lively, bubbly nine-year-old when she fell ill with encephalitis. Her mum, Madalen, writes about her illness and recovery Read more

Published: 9th February, 2018

Updated: 23rd September, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories

James' Story

James, a brewery owner from Yorkshire, fell ill with encephalitis in 2016 Read more

Published: 24th August, 2017

Updated: 23rd September, 2019

Author: Andrew Pitt

Related topics:
  • Your Stories
  • Case studies / stories
Load more Back to top

Showing 10 of 53

Latest

  • Thank you for everything you do!

    Today we will be saying THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us over the years!

  • The Retreat 2020

    Join us for our 2020 Retreat for adults affected by encephalitis.

  • Accessibility and Acceptability of Voice Assistants for People with Cognitive Impairments due to ABI

  • Alecia Emerson-Thomas

    Alecia is a former police office, media risk personality and security risk consultant whose son fell ill with encephalitis as a three year-old

Most read

  • NMDAR antibody encephalitis

    NMDAR antibody encephalitis is an autoimmune disease that causes psychiatric features, confusion, memory loss and seizures followed by a movement disorder, loss of consciousness and changes in blood pressure, heart rate and temperature.

  • Herpes Simplex virus encephalitis

    Herpes simplex encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis which happens when herpes simplex virus (HSV) enters the brain. Usually, it begins with ‘flu-like’ symptoms followed by neurological deterioration, which may include personality and behavioural changes, seizures, weakness and difficulties in communication.

  • What is encephalitis?

    Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain caused by an infection or through the immune system attacking the brain in error.

  • West Nile encephalitis

    West Nile encephalitis is a type of infectious encephalitis caused by West Nile virus. People usually become infected after being bitten by a mosquito, which has fed on an infected bird.

  • Guidelines for recovery

    No two people with encephalitis have the same outcomes. People recover at different paces. Recovery can be helped by having lots of rest, good nutrition, helpful social network and support from professionals.

  • Limbic encephalitis

    The term ‘limbic encephalitis’ (LE) describes the condition when limbic areas of the brain are inflamed (swollen) and consequently not functioning properly. Most forms of LE fall into two main categories: infectious encephalitis and autoimmune encephalitis.

  • Japanese encephalitis

    Japanese encephalitis is an infectious encephalitis caused by Japanese encephalitis virus transmitted by mosquitoes, called ‘Culex’ mosquitoes.

  • Hashimoto's encephalopathy

    Hashimoto's encephalopathy is a rare condition, which is probably of autoimmune origin. The concept of HE is becoming fragmented into a number of other types of autoimmune encephalitis which appear to have their own autoantibodies, prognosis and associated features.

  • Death from encephalitis

    Encephalitis is a serious neurological condition and unfortunately, despite improvements in specific and more supportive treatments such as excellent intensive care management, encephalitis still has a high mortality (death) rate.

  • Measles infection and encephalitis

    Measles causes encephalitis in children with measles infection. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a very effective way to prevent against these diseases.

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The Encephalitis Society is the operating name of the Encephalitis Support Group which is a registered Charity and Company Limited by Guarantee.

Registered in England and Wales No. 04189027. Registered Office as above. Registered Charity No. 1087843. Registered Charity in Scotland: SC048210

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