Man in Catatonic State Due to Rare Disease

Ben Tarver, a 29-year-old man from Folkestone, experienced debilitating night terrors starting September 11, which marked the onset of a rare autoimmune disorder known as Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis. His partner, Liam Nougher, reported that Ben's nightmares felt more like reality, leaving him terrified to sleep. Following the initial incident, Ben suffered panic attacks, headaches, hallucinations, and seizures, yet multiple hospital visits yielded no diagnosis until a severe seizure landed him in intensive care. Doctors confirmed the autoimmune condition, which occurs when the body's antibodies attack brain receptors, but they are uncertain of the underlying cause, typically linked to a brain tumor. Currently, Ben is in a catatonic state at King's College Hospital, and it is unclear how long his recovery will take. A GoFundMe page has been created to support Liam as he visits Ben regularly during this challenging time.