Phantoms in the Brain

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BBC Radio 4 FM

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Factual: Health & Wellbeing

Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.

Dramatic stories of patients and their doctors, exploring the nature of physical and mental health.

Every day, in every hospital, people are being admitted with neurological symptoms like seizures, paralysis, inability to speak or walk. Other patients suffer from psychiatric symptoms such as bizarre delusions or life-shattering hallucinations. Yet not all is as it first seems. Some of those with physical problems will not have identifiable physical causes, and some with apparent psychiatric disorders will have a specific and potentially treatable physical cause. 
   
Through the dramatic stories of patients and their doctors, in this 4-part series, neurologist, Professor Guy Leschziner, presenter of "Mysteries of Sleep" and "The Senses", explores the nature of the complex interactions between physical and mental health; and how modern medicine is revolutionising our understanding of brain and mind.  We discover how novel insights are rapidly breaking down the division between psychiatry and neurology. 


Image:  Amy Hiley amyhileyart.com

BBC Radio 4 LW

Phantoms in the Brain: 'My mind keeps saying to me I was dead' – Daljit’s story

'My mind keeps saying to me I was dead' – Daljit’s story

BBC Radio 4 - Phantoms in the Brain, 'My mind keeps saying to me I was dead' – Daljit’s story

How did Kirsty suddenly become paralysed when there’s nothing physically wrong with her?

Kirsty is 26 years old when she suddenly becomes paralysed from the waist down. After many tests and scans, nothing physically wrong is found. So what has caused her symptoms?

In this episode, we meet Kirsty, a young, fit and healthy mum, who is suddenly paralysed and incontinent. Multiple tests are unable to find any obvious cause. She is eventually diagnosed with functional neurological disorder (FND) - where the structure of the brain is entirely normal, but the way it functions goes awry. Its origins are in her childhood and more recent psychological trauma.

We also hear from Callum, who, almost overnight, develops seizures and walking difficulties. Again, no clear neurological cause can be found. His symptoms have been triggered by a viral illness. We learn how FND is not always associated with stress or trauma, but can be related to physical illness.

And we speak to Daljit, whose memory issues, jerking and stuttering lead to his wife's discovery of his dark and traumatic past experiences.

We’ll hear from psychiatrists and neurologists about what we understand about the nature and origins of FND, and how these symptoms are not "psychosomatic" or "all in your head". And how early recognition and diagnosis can lead to full recovery.

Presenter:  Professor Guy Leschziner
Producer: Sally Abrahams
Sound: Rod Farquhar

Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross
Editor: Clare Fordham

Image: Amy Hiley amyhileyart.com

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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Phantoms in the Brain

'My mind keeps saying to me I was dead' – Daljit’s story

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