29-Year-Old in ‘Catatonic State’ After Night Terrors

Ben Tarver, 29, has been left in a “catatonic state” after what initially appeared to be simple night terrors spiraled into a medical mystery, leaving him unable to respond or move after a rare autoimmune disorder took hold.

The bizarre onset of symptoms began in September when Ben Tarver, a healthy young man with no prior history of mental health issues, experienced a night terror that felt far more real than anything he had encountered before. “It wasn’t just a nightmare,” said Tarver’s partner, 26-year-old Liam Nougher. “Ben said it felt like he was inside the dream itself.”

The terrifying experience marked the start of a string of unusual symptoms. Tarver began suffering from daily panic attacks, relentless headaches, and intense hallucinations. His seizures, which started soon after, further alarmed the couple. “The first time he seized up, he looked at me and started talking gibberish. Then, his body locked up, and he fell to the floor, convulsing,” Nougher recalled.

Despite multiple trips to the hospital, doctors struggled to diagnose what was wrong. CT scans and tests showed no immediate abnormalities, but Tarver’s condition worsened. Panic attacks became frequent, reaching up to 12 a day, and his paranoia escalated. “He started having delusions, even thinking people were after him,” Nougher said. “He’d try to run away, sometimes successfully. He wasn’t my Ben anymore.”

By mid-October, just over a month after the first night terror, Tarver’s mental state deteriorated so severely that he was unable to function normally. His seizures became more violent, culminating in a heart rate of 200 beats per minute — twice the normal resting rate.

On October 15, a definitive diagnosis arrived: Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks the brain’s NMDA receptors. The disorder, often associated with tumors, was baffling doctors as Tarver’s scans revealed no signs of cancerous growths, despite blood tests showing antibodies linked to such conditions.

As Tarver’s health continued to decline, he was transferred to King’s College Hospital in London, where he remains in the ICU in a “catatonic state.” Nougher describes his partner’s condition as “heartbreaking,” noting that despite numerous rounds of treatment, there has been no sign of improvement.

The Cleveland Clinic describes the disorder as a condition that can trigger a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms, from confusion and aggression to seizures and, in severe cases, a complete loss of awareness. While recovery can take up to 18 months, there’s no clear timeline for Tarver’s recovery.

Nougher, who has been by Tarver’s side through every step of this ordeal, remains hopeful but deeply concerned. “I think his immune system is fighting against him. If it were weaker, he might have recovered already,” Nougher explained. “But now, we just have to take it day by day.”

Tarver’s family has launched a GoFundMe to support his medical expenses and provide for Nougher, who is tirelessly by his partner’s side. “We’re holding onto hope,” said Nougher. “But we need all the help we can get.”

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his prognosis, Tarver’s family and loved ones remain resolute, waiting for a breakthrough that might bring their son, partner, and friend back from the brink.

Ben’s loved ones are rallying around him during this incredibly difficult time. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help with the growing medical costs as the young man continues his fight for recovery.

“We’re hoping for a miracle,” Nougher concluded. “Ben was fit and healthy before all of this. He deserves the chance to recover and get back to his life.”