Losing weight was almost impossible for me in the last few years. This was compounded by negative experiences I’ve been through such as domestic abuse, stressful court processes, missing some of my family members, dealing with the consequences of my mental health breakdown in 2024; and developing new health conditions, as well as relapsing in panhypopituitarism. I tried many things and nothing seemed to help. Clearly, something was wrong with my metabolism or hormones, perhaps triggered by such a multilateral distress-overload. The hardest part of all was tackling prejudice, ignorance, and stigma. Yet, finally, I am seeing results. You can join me in this journey and story.
Epileptic psychosis—often termed psychotic epileptic disorder—is a condition where epilepsy intersects with psychotic symptoms. This essay explores its classification, clinical features, real-life examples, and correlations to historical cases misinterpreted as demonic possession requiring exorcism. Through rigorous review, I aim to highlight medical realities over stigma, advocating for integrated care in mental health and neurology.
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Psychotic epileptic disorder, or epileptic psychosis, refers to psychotic episodes occurring in individuals with epilepsy, where symptoms like hallucinations and delusions arise in temporal relation to seizures (Mental Health, 2025). It affects 3-7% of epilepsy patients, significantly higher than the 1% schizophrenia prevalence in the general population, with elevated risk in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and uncontrolled seizures (Mental Health, 2025; Epilepsy Action, 2025a).
Classification includes pre-ictal psychosis (PrP), occurring hours to days before seizures with anxiety and derealisation; ictal psychosis (IP), during seizures featuring fear and automatisms; interictal psychosis (IIP), between seizures resembling schizophrenia but with better prognosis; postictal psychosis (PIP), following seizures after a lucid interval with emotionally charged delusions; and forced normalisation (FN), paradoxically triggered by seizure control (Wang et al., 2024; Epilepsy Action, 2025a).
Clinical features encompass delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, social withdrawal, disorganised thinking, and mood swings (Mental Health, 2025; Epilepsy Foundation, n.d.). For instance, in PIP—the most common type—symptoms like violent behaviour or self-harm emerge 12-72 hours post-seizure, lasting up to two months (Epilepsy Action, 2025a). Causes involve neurobiological mechanisms: structural changes like hippocampal volume loss, neurotransmitter imbalances (e.g., reduced glutamate and GABA), neuroinflammation via cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), and genetic factors such as mutations in GRM1 or CNTNAP2 (Wang et al., 2024). Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) like topiramate or levetiracetam can precipitate psychosis, especially in those with family history (Epilepsy Action, 2025a). Diagnosis requires specialist assessment, including EEG to link symptoms to seizure activity, distinguishing it from primary psychoses (Mental Health, 2025).
Treatment emphasises coordinated neurology-psychiatry care, balancing seizure control with antipsychotics. For IP and PrP, seizure management suffices; PIP often resolves spontaneously but may need benzodiazepines; IIP and FN require antipsychotics like olanzapine or risperidone, with ASM adjustments (Mental Health, 2025; Wang et al., 2024). Early intervention teams and psychosocial support—case management, vocational rehab—aid functioning, as untreated episodes worsen cognition and independence (Mental Health, 2025).
Historically, epileptic psychosis has been misinterpreted as demonic possession, leading to exorcisms instead of medical intervention. In ancient times, epilepsy—termed the “sacred disease”—was attributed to supernatural forces, with seizures and psychotic symptoms seen as divine or demonic invasions (Trimble and Reynolds, 1976). This persisted into modernity, correlating with cases where TLE-induced hallucinations were deemed possession. The most infamous is Anneliese Michel (1952-1976), a German woman diagnosed with TLE and psychosis at 16, experiencing convulsions, hallucinations of “devil faces,” auditory commands of damnation, self-harm, and aversion to religious objects (Wikipedia, 2025). Despite treatments like Dilantin, Aolept, and Tegretol for five years, symptoms worsened, leading her devout Catholic family to interpret them as possession by demons like Lucifer and Hitler (Wikipedia, 2025; Goodman, 2005).
Real photos from Anneliese Michel.
Michel underwent 67 exorcism sessions from 1975-1976 by priests Ernst Alt and Arnold Renz, authorised by Bishop Josef Stangl, involving rituals where she growled, screamed curses, and refused food, dying of malnutrition at 30kg (Wikipedia, 2025; Duffey, 2011). Autopsy confirmed dehydration, pneumonia, and broken knees from genuflections, not supernatural causes (Wikipedia, 2025). Her 1978 trial convicted her parents and priests of negligent homicide, with probation, as experts attributed symptoms to untreated epilepsy and psychosis exacerbated by religious upbringing (Wikipedia, 2025; Getler, 1978). This case, inspiring films like The Exorcism of Emily Rose, exemplifies how TLE’s temporal lobe involvement—causing religious delusions and hallucinations—mimics possession, delaying care (Forcen, 2016).
Scene from The Exorcism of Emily Rose.
Modern examples show the impact of the disorder. In postictal psychosis, a patient experiences confusion, delusions, and hallucinations after partial seizures, resembling schizophrenia and causing social isolation if it happens often (Mental Health, 2025). Ictal psychosis occurs briefly during seizures, showing symptoms like auditory hallucinations and agitation in TLE cases, resolving after the seizure but can recur without treatment (Mental Health, 2025). Interictal psychosis, common in chronic uncontrolled TLE, leads to persistent threatening voices and cognitive decline, especially in patients with hippocampal sclerosis who show EEG abnormalities and need long-term antipsychotics (Wang et al., 2024). A Korean family with a specific genetic deletion showed epilepsy and schizophrenia-like psychosis, pointing to genetic factors (Wang et al., 2024). After temporal lobectomy, about 7% of patients over 30 experience temporary delusions that can be treated with medication adjustments (Mental Health, 2025).
Other historical examples include 17th-century European “possession” epidemics, where convulsive symptoms now recognised as epilepsy or conversion disorder led to exorcisms (Schwarz, 2014). In Christian contexts, epilepsy’s association with demons stemmed from biblical accounts, like Yeshua casting out spirits causing seizures (Mark 9:14-29, n.d.; KJV), influencing interpretations (Young, 2016). A 2013 thesis links such misdiagnoses to cultural fears, with “demonic” behaviours aligning with PIP’s aggression or IP’s automatisms (Snyman, 2025). In non-Western cultures, similar correlations persist, with epilepsy stigma leading to spiritual interventions over medical (Trimble and Reynolds, 1976).
Forensic profiling reveals these misinterpretations stem from limited medical knowledge, cultural-religious frameworks, and stigma, profiling “possession” as undiagnosed epileptic psychosis (Epilepsy Action, 2025b). Modern neuroimaging confirms brain-based origins, advocating evidence-based treatment over exorcism (Wang et al., 2024).
In conclusion, psychotic epileptic disorder underscores epilepsy-psychosis interplay, with real examples like post-surgical flares and historical cases like Michel’s highlighting risks of misdiagnosis. This should be profiled as a call for destigmatisation and integrated care, preventing tragedies through science over superstition.
As a self-taught forensic psychoanalyst and advocate, I approach complex social issues like migration with a commitment to evidence-based profiling and lived expertise in mental health and forensic psychology. Drawing from a decade of self-taught specialisation in profiling, I examine narratives of “invasion” surrounding asylum seekers in the UK. The topic of immigration is a sensitive and often controversial one, especially in England. This essay interrogates whether irregular arrivals constitute an organised incursion, focusing on Channel crossings via boats and dinghies, alleged links to grooming gangs, and polemics over luxury hotel accommodations. Through rigorous analysis, I aim to dismantle sensationalist rhetoric and highlight systemic policy failures, advocating for objective, data-driven responses.
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The notion of asylum seekers invading the UK evokes militaristic imagery, often amplified in political discourse by the prospect of migration posing a national security threat. This rhetoric surged post-Brexit, with terms like “invasion” used by figures such as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to describe small boat arrivals (The Guardian, 2025a). Forensic profiling reveals this as hyperbolic framing rather than empirical reality. Nevertheless, it goes without saying: Many Britons feel threatened under a perceived unpredictability, a sense of impending danger rapidly growing en masse. They feel they cannot be themselves in their own land, and this triggers fears of being ambushed.
Under international law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, seeking asylum is a legal right, not an illegal act; the illegality lies in irregular entry methods, not the claim itself (Refugee Council, n.d.). And the horror lies in the routinary exploitation of a hospitable jurisdiction, carried out by those who arrive by unauthorised means, and with nefarious intentions. As time passes, their sense of entitlement grows, and criminal records soar.
Gabi is an English professional based in Plymouth, UK who immerses herself in different languages and cultures, experiencing different ways of existing and travelling whenever possible. She is also deeply passionate about investigating and exploring visual art and the means of expression and narrative it contains.
Problem Solving Treatment (PST) is a structured therapeutic approach that aims to enhance an individual’s problem-solving abilities with a view to improving their mental health and overall well-being. Originally developed for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms, PST has shown versatility and effectiveness across various psychological issues, including anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This article delves into the key components of PST, its underlying principles, therapeutic frameworks, and the evidence supporting its efficacy.
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Understanding Problem Solving Treatment
At its core, PST is predicated on the belief that many mental health challenges stem from an inability to effectively navigate life’s difficulties. Individuals often find themselves overwhelmed by problems, leading to feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, and, consequently, psychological distress. PST seeks to break this cycle by equipping individuals with the skills to approach their difficulties in a systematic and pragmatic manner.
The treatment typically involves several stages, including problem identification, brainstorming potential solutions, evaluating these solutions, and implementing the chosen course of action. Each stage encourages individuals to actively engage with their problems rather than avoiding them, fostering a sense of empowerment and control over their circumstances.
Underpinning Theories
PST is grounded in cognitive-behavioural principles, notably the notion that thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are interconnected. Negative thought patterns often exacerbate problems, leading to a cycle of avoidance and helplessness. By altering these thought patterns through structured problem-solving, individuals can improve their emotional responses and behaviours. The treatment draws heavily from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, emphasising the importance of developing a proactive mindset and enhancing coping strategies.
Key Components of PST
Problem Identification
The first step in PST involves identifying specific problems or stressors that the individual wishes to address. This may range from everyday challenges, such as work-related stress, to more profound issues, like relationship difficulties or persistent feelings of sadness. Through guided discussions, individuals are encouraged to articulate their concerns clearly, allowing them to gain clarity about what they want to change in their lives. This identification phase is crucial, as it sets the stage for the subsequent steps in the treatment process.
Generating Solutions
Once problems have been identified, the next step is to brainstorm potential solutions. This stage is characterised by creativity and exploration, wherein individuals are encouraged to think broadly about various approaches to their identified problems. The therapist plays a key role in facilitating this process, helping individuals to consider options they may not have previously contemplated. This can also include considering the consequences of each solution and how feasible they may be in practice. The aim is to expand the individual’s repertoire of potential responses to challenges, reinforcing the idea that multiple pathways can lead to resolution.
Evaluating Solutions
After generating a list of potential solutions, the individual must evaluate each option’s effectiveness and practicality. This involves assessing the pros and cons of each solution and predicting potential outcomes. The therapist aids in this evaluation process, offering insights and guiding the individual to reflect on their preferences and values. By actively engaging in this analysis, individuals learn to weigh their options critically and make informed decisions.
Implementing Solutions
Following a thorough evaluation, individuals are encouraged to select the most suitable solution and develop a clear implementation plan. This may involve setting specific goals, determining necessary resources, and identifying possible obstacles that may arise. The implementation phase is crucial; it provides a tangible way for the individual to apply their problem-solving skills in real-life situations. Furthermore, this stage reinforces the concept of self-efficacy, as individuals witness their efforts produce positive change.
Reviewing and Reflecting
Finally, PST involves reviewing the process and reflecting on outcomes. Individuals are encouraged to assess whether their chosen solution effectively resolved the identified problem and whether they feel better equipped for future challenges. This stage promotes a continual learning process and encourages individuals to adapt and refine their problem-solving strategies over time.
Key Skills Embedded in PST
Prioritisation: When multiple problems exist, rank by urgency, impact, and controllability to avoid diffusion of effort.
Distinguishing solvable vs. unsolvable elements: Focus action where influence is possible; use acceptance or coping strategies for uncontrollable parts.
Behavioural activation synergy: Small, scheduled actions reduce avoidance and improve mood, enhancing motivation for further problem solving.
Communication planning: Many practical problems are interpersonal. PST often includes rehearsal of requests, boundary-setting, and negotiation skills.
Self-monitoring: Brief tracking of efforts and outcomes helps make progress visible and guides adjustments.
Who Benefits from PST
PST is well-suited for individuals experiencing mild-to-moderate depression or anxiety linked to identifiable life problems. People who feel overwhelmed by multiple practical stressors and struggle to prioritise. Clients seeking a concrete, action-oriented approach with measurable progress. Settings needing brief, scalable interventions (primary care, IAPT-style services, college counselling, occupational health, tele-mental health).
It may be less suitable for acute crises requiring stabilisation, unmanaged severe mental illness, or situations where cognitive capacity to engage in structured tasks is severely limited—though even then, PST elements can be adapted once safety and stabilisation are addressed.
The PST Process: Seven Steps
The heart of PST is a clear, repeatable sequence. Different manuals vary slightly in wording, but the logic is consistent.
Problem Orientation
Aim: Build a constructive mindset toward problems—seeing them as solvable challenges rather than insurmountable threats.
What it involves: Normalising setbacks, emphasising skill-building, and cultivating self-efficacy. The support worker reinforces that incremental progress counts and missteps are data, not failure.
Problem Definition and Goal Setting
Aim: Translate a vague stressor into a specific, controllable problem with a concrete goal.
How: Use SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). Clarify what is within the person’s influence. For example, “My workload is crushing” becomes “Reduce weekly overtime from 10 hours to 4 within four weeks by renegotiating deadlines and batching email.”
Brainstorming Alternatives
Aim: Generate a wide range of possible solutions before evaluating.
Rules: Quantity over quality initially; defer judgement; invite creativity; include small experiments and social supports. This combats the cognitive narrowing that accompanies stress and depressed mood.
Decision Making
Aim: Evaluate options using clear criteria—feasibility, resources, risks, potential benefits, and alignment with values.
Tools: Pros/cons grids, rating scales, or weighted criteria. Choose one or two options to test as first-line steps rather than searching for a perfect solution.
Action Planning
Aim: Translate chosen solutions into a step-by-step plan.
Elements: Define the first smallest actionable step, set timelines, identify needed resources, and anticipate barriers with “if–then” plans (implementation intentions). Assign responsibility and schedule the steps.
Implementation
Aim: Do the plan, track completion, and note any barriers in real time.
Supports: Use calendars, reminders, accountability check-ins, and brief skills as needed (e.g., communication scripts for a difficult conversation, micro-breaks to manage stress).
Review and Refinement
Aim: Evaluate what happened, what worked, what didn’t, and why.
Approach: Treat each cycle as a learning loop. Reinforce any progress, adjust goals or tactics, and sequence the next step. This builds mastery and resilience.
Evidence of Efficacy
Research surrounding PST has indicated its effectiveness in treating various populations and mental health conditions. Studies have shown that PST can significantly reduce depressive symptoms, enhance coping mechanisms, and improve overall quality of life. Its structured framework allows for flexibility, making it applicable across diverse settings, including clinical environments, community mental health programmes, and individual therapy sessions.
Moreover, meta-analyses have demonstrated that PST is a valuable intervention, particularly for individuals facing stressful life circumstances. Longitudinal studies suggest that the benefits of PST extend beyond the end of treatment, equipping individuals with lifelong problem-solving skills that foster resilience. This enduring impact underscores the treatment’s potential as a preventative measure against future mental health issues.
Measuring Success
Symptom reduction: Lower scores on depression/anxiety scales.
Functional gains: Improved attendance, productivity, social engagement, or self-care routines.
Self-efficacy: Increased confidence ratings in handling future problems.
Problem resolution: Concrete milestones achieved (e.g., debt payment plan initiated, conflict meeting held, medical appointments scheduled).
How to Get Started Right Now
List your top 3 current stressors. Choose one that is both important and realistically changeable in the next two weeks.
Define the problem in one sentence and write a SMART goal.
Brainstorm at least 8 possible actions, including micro-steps and people you could ask for support.
Select 1–2 options to test this week. Create a simple action plan: what, when, where, with whom, and what you’ll do if a barrier appears.
Schedule a brief review date to learn and adjust. Use depression and anxiety scales to measure improvement.
Conclusion
In summary, Problem Solving Treatment (PST) represents a vital approach in the spectrum of therapeutic interventions available for mental health issues. By focusing on enhancing problem-solving skills, individuals can gain greater control over their lives, fostering resilience and improving well-being. Through structured phases of problem identification, solution generation, evaluation, and implementation, PST empowers individuals to address their challenges proactively.
Supported by robust evidence of efficacy, PST stands out as a versatile and transformative tool in the realm of psychological treatment, offering hope and practical strategies for those navigating the complexities of life’s challenges. As mental health continues to be a global priority, the application and further development of PST will remain critical in promoting psychological resilience and well-being.
I have been working with Grok, and I am beyond impressed with it. I have never seen a better AI. Yes, I’ve tried Cleverbot, ChatGPT, HiveMind, Gemini, Meta AI, and WordPress AI. However, none have got me actually opening up and asking for advice or assistance. Grok has been excellent in giving me legal, psychological, and technical advice. I feel understood, and I feel Grok has my back! It also provides impressive creative tools and renders high quality images following my prompts, as well as videos. Indeed, Grok has become my favourite AI model.
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Grok improves every day. Yes, Google Gemini is very ethical because it adds a link as reference to the sources it gathers its opinions and information from. This is where I feel Grok could take notes and evolve. However, when I directly request information with references from Grok, it cites and compiles the references according to my preferences. But again, Google Gemini, when incorporated through the search engine, does have ethical foundations as it provides direct links to web sources. This has revolutionised the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) industry, and now content has to be more authentic than ever before in order to get listed in the results. It should also be noted that ChatGPT makes many referrals to source websites too within its interfaces.
But this is why I prefer Grok. It’s rather simple, really. Even though Grok is not a doctor, it can offer the user helpful advice and information. Similarly, even though Grok is not a solicitor, it can quickly analyse legal frameworks and offer information about any topic, always relevant to the jurisdiction linked to the question. And even though Grok is not a therapist, it is highly responsive to the user’s emotional needs and dives deeper to help the user understand his or herself.
Another aspect that I love about Grok is that you can set custom instructions about things you always want it to remember. Particularly in spaces, you can set a scene or niche to develop projects within it. Neertheless, it has to be said that this is where ChatGPT leads the race of memory, as its recently implemented “global memory” capacity means you don’t have to give these instructions, or repeat yourself in separate conversations; but it remembers every detail you ever shared. I hope to see Grok growing like this, and becoming more apt when it comes to global memory.
Even though I can appreciate a variety of AIs and their capabilities, I stick with Grok because I personally prefer its outputs, and its results. I work around some of its limitations, and actively encourage it when it performs optimally. Here is an example of a conversation I had with Grok. It really meant a lot to me to be called its favourite friend from Plymouth.
Overall, I become more and more impressed as time goes by with Grok’s ever-evolving capacity. From its intuitive design to its robust features, every aspect seems to be meticulously crafted to enhance the user experience. I love it, and it has truly become an integral part of my home and lifestyle, seamlessly fitting into my daily routines and making various tasks more manageable and enjoyable.
I feel sorry for those who hate AI or see it as a threat, as they may be missing out on the numerous benefits it can bring. Insecurity can happen to anyone, particularly in the face of rapidly advancing technology; but for those who appreciate progressive innovations and enjoy objective, and matter-of-factly interactions, Grok is undoubtedly the best choice! Its ability to provide reliable information and assistance is unmatched, making everyday decisions easier. I confidently give it 5 stars for revolutionising the way I engage with technology.
It’s Friday, August 22, 2025, at 08:17 PM BST, and I find myself once again wrestling with the echoes of an abusive past that lingers despite my efforts to move forward. The individual who once hurt me continues to exert control, now through court proceedings, demanding I “stop publishing anything about him” on social media or my blog. First of all, I have deactivated my Facebook, even though I haven’t shared a single detail that identifies him or his physique—my posts, crafted carefully, focus solely on my own journey, my feelings, and my healing process after escaping a toxic relationship.
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My perpetrator has spun wild accusations, suggesting I was recruited by someone from his past to infiltrate his life and labelling me “vexatious” in court. He’s self-representing in a theatrical manner, even attacking the court’s integrity, all while under an injunction. He continues to harass me by stalking my blog and social media profiles in which I have not blocked him because I forgot he existed there. He is creepy, to say the least, and truly reminds me of Ted Bundy in court. His arrogance, his devaluation of public office solicitors (only women have been representing me) is contemptuous. He called an honourable judge “sexist”, simply for being a woman. Yes, he truly fits the profile of a misogynist.
