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Dipti TaitBritish qualified hypnotherapist who managed to cope with the consequences of Miller Fisher syndrome
Country:
 Great Britain |
Content:
- British Woman Defies Guillain-Barré Syndrome with Hypnotherapy
- Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Taking Control
- Positive Reinforcement
- Recovery and Triumph
- Miller Fisher Syndrome: An Overview
British Woman Defies Guillain-Barré Syndrome with Hypnotherapy
Battle with Miller Fisher VariantDeepa Tite, a 43-year-old qualified hypnotherapist from the Cotswolds, found herself unable to smile, speak, or even close her eyes due to Miller Fisher syndrome, a rare neurological disorder affecting the myelin sheaths of nerves. Despite doctors' hopes that her condition would improve on its own, Deepa, driven by her expertise, embarked on a journey of self-hypnosis to accelerate her recovery.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
In March 2013, while on a romantic getaway, Deepa experienced lethargy, light sensitivity, and shoulder pain. A week later, during a family meal, she noticed a loss of sensation in her lips. Her condition rapidly worsened, rendering her unable to speak or chew. Doctors initially diagnosed her with Bell's palsy, but a second opinion revealed Miller Fisher syndrome.
Taking Control
Determined to regain her mobility, Deepa resolved to use her hypnotherapy skills on herself. She devised a program that included visualizing herself uttering the words "bop" and "pop" in front of a mirror. "I did it every day for 20 minutes, hoping to rewire the muscle memory," she explained.
Positive Reinforcement
Alongside her self-hypnosis, Deepa immersed herself in positive reinforcement. She viewed photos and videos of herself smiling and listened to confidence-boosting materials, even while sleeping. By May 2013, her confidence had grown enough to attend her 40th birthday celebration.
Recovery and Triumph
"I still couldn't talk much, but I had half of my face moving and a half-smile," Deepa said. "Everyone told me how wonderful I looked, that I was beautiful. They were all so supportive." Continuing her self-hypnosis practice, Deepa regained her full smile by December 2013. "I proved through self-hypnosis that mind over matter does work, and positive thinking really does work," she proclaimed.
Miller Fisher Syndrome: An Overview
Miller Fisher syndrome is a rare variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome, causing muscle weakness and paralysis. It affects approximately one in a million people in the UK each year. Symptoms include ataxia (impaired coordination) and ophthalmoplegia (paralysis of eye muscles). The exact cause is unknown, but it is believed to be triggered by a virus. Treatment involves removing certain immune cells from the blood, and most patients begin to recover within two to four weeks, with full recovery possible within six months.
