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This episode of The Seizure Turnaround features Kate Berger, author of View from the Floor and All the Days in Between, describing how she developed panic attacks and then PNES/functional seizures during her senior year of high school at age 18. She describes exposure therapy and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), later emphasizing Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) as major therapeutic supports. Kate shares the challenges of living with seizures for 12 years before becoming seizure-free unexpectedly five years ago. She discusses the ‘burden of normality’ in remission and closes with reflections on identity—encouraging creativity, resisting stigma, and believing a beautiful life is possible with seizures and without them.

Links to Kate’s books:

View from the Floor

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27188405-view-from-the-floor

All the Days in Between

https://blog.nonepilepticseizures.com/pnes-in-the-news-kate-bergers-second-book-all-the-days-in-between-essays-from-the-middle/

Presented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson.

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In this episode of 'The Seizure Turnaround,' investigative journalist Nadine Sebai shares her compelling journey from an active frontline reporter to being diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). Nadine provides an intimate and unfiltered look into her struggles, coping mechanisms, and the pivotal moments in her quest for remission. The episode dives into her rigorous treatments, the psychological hurdles, and the epiphany that helped her gain some control over her seizures. Nadine also discusses the upcoming documentary, 'System Disrupted,' which follows her journey and aims to educate medical professionals about FND. This conversation highlights the emotional and physical toll of living with functional seizures and offers insights and hope to those facing similar battles.

Further information about Nadine and the upcoming documentary below:

https://www.documentaries.org/films/system-disrupted/

https://www.instagram.com/navigatingfnd/

Presented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson.

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In this episode of the Seizure Turnaround podcast, poet and advocate Matina Alexis shares her profound journey of dealing with functional seizures, also known as PNES, and how writing became a crucial tool in her recovery. Matina discusses the challenging process of getting diagnosed, the traumatic events in her life, and her path to uncovering deeply repressed childhood traumas through therapy and trauma dreams. She also highlights the role of her poetic work, 'The Softest Blade,' in helping her navigate and articulate her pain, ultimately leading to personal growth and transformation. This episode provides valuable insights into the complexities of functional seizures and the healing power of creative expression.

Link to Matina’s book, The Softest Blade, below:

https://matinaalexis.com/books/the-softest-blade-the-heavy-the-half-way-and-the-healing-matina-alexis/B0FZY2C73R

Presented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson.