As a teenager I contracted encephalitis but before diagnosis I was in a psych ward. As a result of inflamation on my brain I had vivid dreams, hallucinations, paranoia and anxiety. Since then I have frequently experianced nighmaires and flashbacks from this experiance when I am trying to sleep, they normally occur when I am low or experiancing headpain in the form of headaches or migrains.
Is there anything I can do to reduce these feelings/flashbacks?
I have had the same issues but no hallucinations. Have you ever seen a Psychiatrist or NeuroPsychiatrist? I have seen both in the past A Neiropsychiatrist specializes in people who have a neurological problem who also have mental health problems like us. A Psychiatrist is for people who dont have neurogical problems but specialize more in mental health across the board.
Hi RED1224, As a fellow Post Ebcephalitis sufferer, I also have had flashbacks to when I was bullied and it sometimes triggers my OCD off, is one of my worst fears. However I had CBT and another form of therapy called EMDR together and it did reduce my flashbacks at the time because I don't think I was getting enough EMDR because it was towards the end of my admission at Springfield Hospital, although they haven't yet assessed me for PTSD but I relapsed again the following year and so I have also been suffering from them myself since 1994. Hopefully you find some of my suggestions useful.
I also suggest that you see a Neuropsychiatrist like I have done when I was in my late teens and he prescribed me my first SSRI which was Paroxetine and he diagnosed me with a compulsive Disorder . He was v.good bet he has moved to work at another hospital near Manchester and I don't come under that area. Anyhow I was then referred back to my local community mental health team often referred to as 'CMHT' and at the time they DID have a Psychotherapist here who gave me the same diagnosis and referred me to The Maudsley for assessment but I didn't fit the criteria my OCD was too severe, and they recommended I went to Springfield, and it stemmed from there. I have seen many psychiatrists who were not up to the mark, or they leave after 2 years then I have been stuck with someone didn't get on at all well with for another 2 yrs etc.
However, the Psychotherapist here has now gone private many years ago so there are none on the NHS in my area ever since1996. I think usually you normally have a Neurologist first and they refer you to a Neuropsychiatrist and then from there you would get referred to your CMHT to access a Psychologist or a Psychotherapist in order to receive CBT! I will look them up for you in your area, because that's how I accessed those services. It wasn't via my GP.
a neurologist would be in regards to encephalitis but are your flashbacks and nightmares connected to that or the trauma of all the combined experiences you have faced? In the topics section there are many healing modalities listed and tons of peoples individual experiences with what works. I'm sorry you have had to endure so much
Thank you for the advise I will have a look. Where is the "topics section" and people's experiances? Peer support and reading others experiances has been so useful recently.
It sounds to me as though the flashbacks and nightmares are linked to RED1224's traumatic experience of becoming ill with Encephalitis. I have the same consequences but without hallucinations and I also have post encephalitis consequences, and experienced going through the right channels myself 'years ago' so I have now informed him how the long-winded process would help him to 'get the ball rolling'. I already have given all the details etc.
the topics is on the right side of the screen, click on it and the full list will drop down
Living with PTSD
Do I have PTSD
my own worst enemy (possible trigger warning)
PTSD - Kundalini
My PTSD with Intimacy
