I was recently diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis

Russell author Andrew Gallant was diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis after psychiatric misdiagnosis nearly delayed life-saving neurological treatment.

Gallant developed flu-like symptoms, severe anxiety, panic attacks, and suicidal ideation over several weeks, followed by jaw pain, balance problems, delusions, and auditory hallucinations. An emergency room visit led to psychiatric hospitalization, where he was nearly kept despite clear neurological involvement. A connection with a physician got him transferred to Brigham and Women's Hospital's neurology department. After MRIs, lumbar puncture, and EEGs, he received intravenous immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone before confirmation via cerebrospinal fluid antibody test. He credits his wife's persistence in seeking neurological evaluation and employer Charlie Marsh's support. Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, discovered in 2007, is commonly misdiagnosed as anxiety disorder or schizophrenia. Gallant's prognosis is good due to early detection. He is enrolled in the CIELO clinical trial testing satralizumab.