ABSTRACT
This chapter describes what encephalitis is; considers its global presence; and the outcomes for survivors and their families. Encephalitis steals survivors' capacity to remember as well as their personalities and the types of abilities we generally take for granted: memory, concentration, attention, thinking, judgement, inhibition. The chapter considers the psychosocial implications for people affected and issues around quality of life. It draws we will have begun to develop an understanding of encephalitis and why people's narratives may be important. Encephalitis is a complex illness in its presentation, diagnosis, prognosis and long-term consequences. Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain tissue and is a syndrome with hundreds of potential causes. Diagnosis includes a number of tests and is often considered a diagnosis of exclusion. A family member's illness can mean a carer might also have to renegotiate their own sense of identity. This may include re-evaluating values and assumptions associated with their relationships.
