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Psychosis, Schizophrenia, or Autoimmune Brain Inflammation—New Hope for Some

Psychosis, Schizophrenia, or Autoimmune Brain Inflammation—New Hope for Some

One of the most distressing things a person can go through is a break in their touch with reality—psychosis—whether in themselves or in a loved one. Psychosis is a term for no longer being able to tell what is real from what is not. The various types of psychotic symptoms include:

  • Hallucinations: These are disturbances in perception—perceiving sensory signals that are not coming from the world around us. The most common is auditory hallucination, hearing things without actual sound waves impacting the ear drums, but people can also see, smell, feel, and taste things that are not coming from their environment.
  • Delusions: These are fixed false beliefs—believing things that are objectively contrary to reality; delusional beliefs are not amenable to being changed with evidence and facts.
  • Disorganization of thought and speech: The inability to maintain a clear train of thought; jumping from topic to topic in a nonsensical way.
  • Disorganization of behavior: Gross irrational and chaotic behavior.
  • Catatonia: A severe and abnormal response to people and the environment, such as mutism, echoing sounds repeatedly, copying other’s movements constantly, rigidly holding positions for long periods of time, failure to respond to environmental stimuli, and other symptoms.
  • Severe loss of normal emotional connection: Severe emotional flatness; loss of motivation, disengagement, and isolation.

It has been long understood that psychotic problems are a result of something going wrong with normal brain function. The only exception are shared delusions, when people come to believe something that is false and are resistant to evidence that would expose the falsehood. Shared or group delusions come from social and relational pressures and not brain dysfunction. So, delusions can occur from both brain dysfunction and from social and relational pressures and stresses.

Historically, when a person presented with the various symptoms listed above, they were recognized as having a break from reality and diagnosed with psychosis. If the symptoms persisted over time, they were often diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The exact causes of schizophrenia are still poorly understood, but it is believed to have multiple causes related to brain development, structure, and function. Genetics play a role, increasing vulnerability, but genes do not tell the entire story. Intrauterine environment, toxic exposures, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and environmental stressors all impact the developing brain and can alter normal cellular development, support systems, and connectivity and, thereby, contribute to the development of psychosis later in life. The point is that every person diagnosed with schizophrenia does not have the exact same brain problem; they share a cluster of symptoms that are used to diagnose schizophrenia. But it is currently believed that there are many different underlying contributing factors and brain changes that lead to these symptoms.

 

New Discoveries

What is interesting is that recently, a condition has been discovered that shares the symptoms of schizophrenia and historically would have been diagnosed as schizophrenia but, in fact, is an autoimmune inflammation of the brain. In other words, the body has made antibodies that are acting inappropriately upon certain brain receptors (NMDA) and causing the symptoms of psychosis.

Recently I read an article entitled “Is it psychosis, or an autoimmune encephalitis?” in which the differences between psychosis and this brain inflammatory condition were described. This is important and exciting because the presentations of both these conditions are nearly identical while the underlying causes are quite distinct and the treatments are necessarily different, with the autoimmune condition having a higher likelihood of resolution with appropriate treatment.

The symptoms of the autoimmune brain condition are some combination of the symptoms of psychosis listed above. A person with the autoimmune encephalitis may become disorganized, stop going to classes or work, socially isolate, stop attending to personal hygiene, talk to self, accuse people of being against them, believe others are out to get them, may become catatonic and withdrawn and become mute, or posture in strange ways. Their thoughts may be disorganized; they may be animated or agitated. The point is, there is a marked dysfunctional change from their normal behavior that is recognized by family and friends.

Clues that this may be autoimmune rather than schizophrenia include:

  • Quick onset in less than three months. If such changes have occurred gradually over years in a person who was odd, socially withdrawn, and peculiar since childhood, then it is more likely schizophrenia. But if the person experiences a fairly sudden and acute change in function, then the possibility of autoimmune encephalitis must be considered.
  • Recent history of infection, especially viral infection, prior to the onset of the dysfunction is a red flag warranting workup for autoimmune encephalitis. The underlying problem is that something (in this case, the viral infection) triggers the body’s immune system to make antibodies that attack the NMDA receptors in the brain, thereby causing the psychosis. Thus, a history of fever, malaise, headache, nausea, diarrhea, etc., prior to the onset of symptoms is a signal warranting investigation for an autoimmune cause.
  • Seizures within one year of the onset of the psychotic symptoms. These seizures are usually not the full-body seizures with loss of consciousness, but deep brain seizures that cause moments of confusion, staring off into space, or no symptoms at all and only show electrical slowing on an electroencephalogram (EEG). But seizures of any kind during the first year suggests an autoimmune problem.
  • A recent history of cancer or any abnormality of the ovaries suggests autoimmune encephalitis rather than schizophrenia. The cancer or ovarian problem, in this case, trigger the immune system to make the antibodies that attack the NMDA receptors.
  • A prior history of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis increases the risk of autoimmune encephalitis and, thus, any person presenting with psychosis who has a history of prior HSV encephalitis should be evaluated for an autoimmune cause of their psychosis. Again, the connection is that the prior herpes viral infection triggered the body to make antibodies that are now attacking the brain.
  • Any symptoms suggestive of a neurological problem, such as a stiff neck, severe headache, neck pain, etc., should raise concerns and justify an autoimmune workup.
  • Presenting with short-term memory loss may indicate an autoimmune cause to the new psychosis.
  • Changes and instability in normal vital signs, such as a racing heart, blood pressure that changes rapidly, and light headedness when standing, are indicators of an underlying autoimmune problem.

If someone you know is suffering with such symptoms, please bring up this possibility to their doctor as autoimmune encephalitis presenting as a psychotic disorder is a newly discovered insight and may not be considered by your loved-one’s doctor. The treatment for autoimmune encephalitis is quite different than that for schizophrenia, with a much higher likelihood of a good outcome.

 

 

 

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Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

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Testimony 74

Thank you so much for opening my eyes. I’ve been through a lot of ministries that just didn’t show the love of God that I felt he was. You have helped me to begin the process of true healing. I thought I was “too far gone,” now I know there’s hope in Jesus, because he loves us beyond what we can comprehend. Thank you again for all you do. I truly appreciate it and pray more people find you (physical at your studio and through this website).

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Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

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Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

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My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

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I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

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Testimony 72

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Testimony 49

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Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

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Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

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Testimony 53

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