Ben Tarver, a 29-year-old man, experienced debilitating night terrors that turned out to be the first symptom of a rare autoimmune disorder called Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis. This rapidly progressing condition led to his hospitalization and current catatonic state in an intensive care unit (ICU). Tarver had no prior history of panic attacks or seizures before the onset of symptoms in September.
Tarver’s partner, 26-year-old Liam Nougher, recounted the initial incident to South West News Service, as reported by The Daily Mail. On September 11th, Tarver awoke from a disturbing dream, describing it as more than a nightmare—he felt trapped inside the dream itself. This marked the beginning of a series of escalating symptoms.
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Following the night terror, Tarver developed a fear of sleep, dreading a return to the unsettling dream state. He began experiencing up to 12 panic attacks daily, accompanied by severe headaches. Despite these alarming symptoms, an initial CT scan revealed no abnormalities. However, Tarver’s condition continued to worsen, culminating in a seizure witnessed by Nougher. Nougher described a terrifying scene: Tarver spoke incoherently, his body seized, and he collapsed to the ground, convulsing and frothing at the mouth.
Tarver was rushed to the hospital, but again, tests failed to identify the cause of his symptoms. He was discharged, only to experience a more violent seizure at home three nights later. This seizure resulted in a dangerously elevated heart rate of 200 beats per minute.
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Over the next nine days, Tarver’s condition deteriorated significantly. He became increasingly paranoid, exhibiting aggressive behavior and attempting to escape from the hospital. Nougher stayed by his side to prevent him from fleeing. On October 15th, a little over a month after his first night terror, Tarver received the diagnosis of Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis. This rare autoimmune disorder causes the body to attack its own brain receptors.
Tarver was transferred to King’s College Hospital in London, where he remains in a catatonic state in the ICU. A GoFundMe page has been established to provide financial support for Tarver and his family during this challenging time. While Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis is often associated with tumors, extensive testing has not yet revealed any tumors in Tarver’s case.
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Recovery from this disorder can take up to 18 months, according to the National Institute of Health. Despite multiple treatments, Tarver has shown no signs of improvement. Nougher believes Tarver’s robust immune system, rather than aiding in his recovery, may be exacerbating the condition by relentlessly producing the harmful antibodies.
