The Seizure Turnaround

Send us Fan MailWhen the medical system left him in no-man’s-land, Steve took his recovery into his own hands. After surviving rock bottom, including severe mental health struggles and a gruelling 14-month wait for specialist care, Steve was facing up to 70 functional seizures every single day. In this episode, we explore how he turned a desperate situation into a digital lifeline. Steve shares the story behind Neurolog, the free app he built to track the "untrackable."In this episode, we discuss navigating the space between neurology and psychology, how Steve built an app while battling 60+ mini-seizures daily, how emoji-logging helped him reduce his seizures by over 90%, and Neurolog’s journey from a personal tool to a research partner with the University of Oxford. Link to the Neurolog website and App:https://www.neuro-log.com/https://www.neurolog.app/authPresented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when you finally see yourself reflected on screen? This week, Lana sits down with Audrey to discuss her life-changing 2023 autism diagnosis after watching Love on the Spectrum. Audrey opens up about her experience with functional seizures/FND and how specific trauma-linked cues—from family conflict to certain tones of voice—became seizure triggers. We also dive into why therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Brainspotting offered the breakthrough that traditional talk therapy couldn't.FNDWhatNow? Support Group, South Africahttps://www.fndwhatnow.com/support-groupNeurolog Apphttps://www.neuro-log.comLove on the Spectrum is an award-winning, docu-reality series—originally Australian, now also a U.S. Netflix show—that follows autistic people navigating the complexities of dating, intimacy, and relationships. Netflix - Love on the SpectrumPresented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailIn Part 2 of The Remission Room, Ben and Kate describe their 16-year relationship and the highs and lows of navigating Kate’s 12-year functional seizure journey and her subsequent years in remission. They discuss meeting in high school as Kate was developing the condition and how Ben learned to respond during seizures, including keeping her safe and advocating against unnecessary 911 calls. After moving to a new city post-college with Kate too unwell to work, Ben became her primary caregiver, and their marriage slid into an unhealthy patient–caregiver dynamic marked by isolation, pride-driven privacy, fear, and poor communication. They reached a breaking point and pursued self-care, broader support systems, and counselling individually and as a couple, with Ben learning to recognize his needs and release guilt. They share practical connection strategies and their hard-won wisdom to help others navigate similar paths, proving that even the most challenging seasons can lead to a more resilient, deeply connected, and joyful life together. Links to Kate’s books:View from the Floorhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27188405-view-from-the-floorAll the Days in Betweenhttps://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. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailThis 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 Floorhttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27188405-view-from-the-floorAll the Days in Betweenhttps://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. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailIn 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. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailIn 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. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Natalie shares her journey of living with functional seizures and the transformation that followed. Before developing seizures, Natalie struggled to manage motherhood, work, and her mental health. Her journey took a significant turn when she experienced her first seizure in a mental health clinic during a group session. Natalie describes the physical and emotional turmoil she faced and how she took a pragmatic approach and discovered effective ways to manage her seizures. She highlights the importance of building a supportive community, experimenting with different tools and tricks, and maintaining a hopeful mindset. Despite the challenges, her story is a testament to grit and self-advocacy. Presented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailIn this in-depth discussion, Natasha (pseudonym) shares her family's challenging journey surrounding her son Oscar's functional seizures, beginning from a playground incident at age 10 which led to years of medical uncertainty. Initially misdiagnosed as post-concussion syndrome, it took many seizure episodes and exhaustive testing before a neurologist identified Oscar's condition as functional seizures. Natasha elaborates on the emotional toll, the impact on family dynamics, finding the right neuropsychologist, and strategies that helped Oscar manage and reduce his episodes. She emphasizes the importance of acceptance, communication, and community support to cope with these challenges. Her candid account sheds light on the intersection of trauma, autism, and functional seizures, offering valuable insights and hope to other families facing similar issues.Presented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of The Seizure Turnaround, Lana speaks with Janis Shoesmith, a former pediatric nurse diagnosed with functional seizures following a traumatic assault at work. Janis shares her journey from a confident and sociable nurse to grappling with PTSD and frequent seizures, and her eventual path to recovery through psychological therapy and personal resilience. Janis opens up about the challenges of receiving a diagnosis, the long wait for specialised treatment, and the emotional toll on her and her family. She emphasises the importance of finding the right kind of support, particularly from professionals knowledgeable about functional seizures, and discusses the significant role of CBT in her recovery. Despite the setbacks, Janis’s story is one of hope and determination, encouraging listeners to seek timely help and remain optimistic about recovery. The episode explores the profound impact of compassionate healthcare, the power of personal and professional support, and the gradual but achievable journey towards wellness.Presented by Clinical Neuropsychologist and researcher, Dr Lana Higson. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.