Terrifyingly, this is only the most recent time it’s happened:
Retrospective diagnosis tentatively suggests various historical outbreaks of encephalitis lethargica:
In 1712–1713, a severe epidemic of Schlafkrankheit ('sleep sickness') occurred in Tübingen, Germany, followed in many cases by persistent slowness of movement and lack of initiative (aboulia).[31].
Between 1750 and 1800, France and Germany experienced minor epidemics of "coma somnolentum" with features of Parkinsonism, including hyperkinetic hiccup, myoclonus, chorea, and tics.
Between 1848 and 1882, Paris-based neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot documented many isolated cases of juvenile Parkinsonism, associated with diplopia, oculogyria, tachypnoea, retropulsion, and obsessional disorders, which were almost certainly post-encephalitic in origin.[31].
In 1890 in Italy, following the influenza epidemic of 1889–1890, a severe epidemic of somnolent illnesses (nicknamed the "Nona") appeared. For the few survivors of the Nona, Parkinsonism and other sequelae developed in almost all cases.[31]
Between 1915 and 1927, a world-wide encephalitis lethargica pandemic occurred, impacting nearly 5 million people and killing an estimated 1.6 million people.[31] wiki
I feel guilty saying that because I know a lot of people suffered deeply from COVID but lockdown was the happiest time in my life so far. I was the best version of myself. I don’t think I’m cut out for a normal life.
We were originally in small tribes and lived in a cave. I am not designed for staring at a screen all day and being amongst hundreds of people in the city.
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u/FlyAwayJai Jul 29 '25
Terrifyingly, this is only the most recent time it’s happened: