On this episode: “Medical Mystery 3: Awake in the Dark”

This month we bring you a SPECIAL three part mini-series for Halloween! 
In this episode of Awake in the Dark, we explore the haunting mystery of Encephalitis lethargica, a strange illness that swept across the globe in the early 20th century.

Join us as we uncover the chilling accounts of those affected—individuals who slipped into an unsettling slumber, leaving their loved ones to grapple with the fear of losing them to an unknown fate.

We delve into the groundbreaking work of early neurologists like Dr. Constantin von Economo, who documented the baffling symptoms of this enigmatic disorder. Through personal stories and scientific inquiry, we seek to understand how a once-mysterious illness still echoes in the shadows of medical history.

Web links from the show: (all correct at time of recording)

UCL: The mysterious disease that inspired Awakenings is finally starting to give up some clues

Click here to learn more about Dr Oliver Sacks


Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts:

If you are a student or staff member at the University of Staffordshire and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, the University of Staffordshire are here to help…

Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk.

For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to!

NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/

Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/

Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/



Upcoming Podcasts: Death within other religions, human factors and ergonomics, and more service users sharing their unique experiences;

Previous Podcasts:
Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, Impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams, and a LIVE guided meditation.

Want to get involved?

Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker?

Do you have a topic you would like to share?

Get in touch! Let’s Pod!

Contact The Link podcast team:

@TheLinkPodcast_ on X (formally Twitter)


Ben W-H - @benw_h on X
                   ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk

Kirsty Egan - @KirstyODP on X
                       kirsty.egan@student.staffs.ac.uk

Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan
Artwork: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Intro & Outro: Rohanna Wholey
Theme Music: Gavin Samways  
Additional music: Syrinscape (https://app.syrinscape.com/)