Phantoms In The Brain

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

'i Am Not Mentally Sick': Hannah's Story

20221206

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.

In this 4-part series, neurologist, Professor Guy Leschziner, explores the nature of the complex interactions between physical and mental health, and how the division between the two may ultimately make little sense.

We meet Hannah, a student, who's only 20 when her behaviour suddenly changes. Almost overnight, she goes from tidy to messy, becomes erratic, unable to hold a conversation; she seems lost in herself. Her family recognises she is having a mental breakdown and Hannah is admitted to a psychiatric ward. And yet, she is not just mentally ill. Her psychiatric symptoms are later found to have a very physical cause. She has encephalitis - her brain is on fire', attacked by an autoimmune disease. We follow Hannah's progress through diagnosis to treatment and to a dramatic outcome that takes everyone by surprise.

We also hear from Kat, who's in her twenties, with a high-powered job in the City. Out of the blue, she starts having seizures and episodes of d退j

'i'm Tired Of Feeling A Prisoner To My Thoughts': Moksha's Story

20221213

20221219 (R4)

In this episode, we meet Moksha, a doctor so debilitated by obsessive-compulsive disorder that he drives at least 50 miles home every day to avoid using the college toilets. He won't eat or drink anything during weekend-long shifts, so he doesn't have to use the hospital bathroom. He scrubs his skin with toxic cleaning products to try to rid himself of germs, sustaining chemical burns. Medication provides no relief, but cutting-edge technology - electrodes implanted deep within his brain to change electrical activity - successfully treats his condition, easing his symptoms.

We also hear from Matthew, whose many years of depression have been associated with feelings of inflammation or infection in his body; and we talk to neuroscientists leading research into how the immune system may influence brain functioning.

These cases cast light on the artificial distinctions between mental and physical health, and how psychological conditions have a basis in chemical or electrical changes in the brain.

Presenter: Professor Guy Leschziner

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Sound: Neil Churchill

Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Editor: Clare Fordham

Image: Amy Hiley amyhileyart.com

The doctor with OCD so extreme he drives 50 miles every day just to use the toilet at home

Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.

'is Back Pain A Transmissible Disease?', Dan's Story

20221227

20230102 (R4)

In this episode we explore the powerful interaction between our mind and our body.

Dan has always been very healthy and very active - enjoying running, basketball, ski-ing, golf. But one day, in his mid-twenties, he wakes up with agonising back pain, that lasts for nearly 20 years. He sees various doctors, tries all kinds of therapy, but nothing helps. An MRI scan reveals no physical damage. Dan's resigned to a life of pain, until he spots an advert seeking recruits for a study to help chronic back pain. Dan feels he has nothing to lose. What happens next astonishes him - he undergoes a psychological treatment, called pain reprocessing therapy - where the brain is trained to unlearn the pain. The very real pain that Dan has experienced for so many years vanishes and his life is changed forever.

And we meet Dianne who has crippling stomach pains and inconsistent bowel movements from the age of seven. The constipation and diarrhoea get so bad, she limits her food intake and develops an eating disorder. At university, she sees a doctor for the first time and is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dianne takes part in a clinical trial, involving a behavioural therapy programme. She learns about the connection between the mind and the digestive system; and the role that stress plays in driving her symptoms. The psychological programme helps Dianne to rethink her mindset, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. And it significantly reduces her IBS attacks.

These stories illustrate the close connection between our physical and mental health. And how treating the body and mind in isolation makes no sense if we want to give patients the best outcomes.

Presenter: Professor Guy Leschziner

Producer: Sally Abrahams

Sound: Graham Puddifoot

Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross

Editor: Clare Fordham

Image: Amy Hiley amyhileyart.com

Dan lives with agonising back ache, until a pilot study into pain transforms his life.

Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.

'my Mind Keeps Saying To Me I Was Dead': Daljit's Story

20221220

20221226 (R4)

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

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

Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.

Episodes

Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
'i Am Not Mentally Sick': Hannah's Story	20221206		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. In this 4-part series, neurologist, Professor Guy Leschziner, explores the nature of the complex interactions between physical and mental health, and how the division between the two may ultimately make little sense. We meet Hannah, a student, who's only 20 when her behaviour suddenly changes. Almost overnight, she goes from tidy to messy, becomes erratic, unable to hold a conversation; she seems lost in herself. Her family recognises she is having a mental breakdown and Hannah is admitted to a psychiatric ward. And yet, she is not just mentally ill. Her psychiatric symptoms are later found to have a very physical cause. She has encephalitis - her brain is on fire', attacked by an autoimmune disease. We follow Hannah's progress through diagnosis to treatment and to a dramatic outcome that takes everyone by surprise. We also hear from Kat, who's in her twenties, with a high-powered job in the City. Out of the blue, she starts having seizures and episodes of d退j
'i'm Tired Of Feeling A Prisoner To My Thoughts': Moksha's Story	20221213	20221219 (R4)	In this episode, we meet Moksha, a doctor so debilitated by obsessive-compulsive disorder that he drives at least 50 miles home every day to avoid using the college toilets. He won't eat or drink anything during weekend-long shifts, so he doesn't have to use the hospital bathroom. He scrubs his skin with toxic cleaning products to try to rid himself of germs, sustaining chemical burns. Medication provides no relief, but cutting-edge technology - electrodes implanted deep within his brain to change electrical activity - successfully treats his condition, easing his symptoms. We also hear from Matthew, whose many years of depression have been associated with feelings of inflammation or infection in his body; and we talk to neuroscientists leading research into how the immune system may influence brain functioning. These cases cast light on the artificial distinctions between mental and physical health, and how psychological conditions have a basis in chemical or electrical changes in the brain. Presenter: Professor Guy Leschziner Producer: Sally Abrahams Sound: Neil Churchill Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Clare Fordham Image: Amy Hiley amyhileyart.com The doctor with OCD so extreme he drives 50 miles every day just to use the toilet at home Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.
'is Back Pain A Transmissible Disease?', Dan's Story	20221227	20230102 (R4)	In this episode we explore the powerful interaction between our mind and our body. Dan has always been very healthy and very active - enjoying running, basketball, ski-ing, golf. But one day, in his mid-twenties, he wakes up with agonising back pain, that lasts for nearly 20 years. He sees various doctors, tries all kinds of therapy, but nothing helps. An MRI scan reveals no physical damage. Dan's resigned to a life of pain, until he spots an advert seeking recruits for a study to help chronic back pain. Dan feels he has nothing to lose. What happens next astonishes him - he undergoes a psychological treatment, called pain reprocessing therapy - where the brain is trained to unlearn the pain. The very real pain that Dan has experienced for so many years vanishes and his life is changed forever. And we meet Dianne who has crippling stomach pains and inconsistent bowel movements from the age of seven. The constipation and diarrhoea get so bad, she limits her food intake and develops an eating disorder. At university, she sees a doctor for the first time and is diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dianne takes part in a clinical trial, involving a behavioural therapy programme. She learns about the connection between the mind and the digestive system; and the role that stress plays in driving her symptoms. The psychological programme helps Dianne to rethink her mindset, replacing negative thoughts with positive ones. And it significantly reduces her IBS attacks. These stories illustrate the close connection between our physical and mental health. And how treating the body and mind in isolation makes no sense if we want to give patients the best outcomes. Presenter: Professor Guy Leschziner Producer: Sally Abrahams Sound: Graham Puddifoot Production co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Helena Warwick-Cross Editor: Clare Fordham Image: Amy Hiley amyhileyart.com Dan lives with agonising back ache, until a pilot study into pain transforms his life. Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.
'my Mind Keeps Saying To Me I Was Dead': Daljit's Story	20221220	20221226 (R4)	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 How did Kirsty suddenly become paralysed when there's nothing physically wrong with her? Dramatic stories exploring the nature of physical and mental health.