Tube Girl' Sabrina Bahsoon Recounts Four-Month Hospitalization After Psychosis Diagnosis

Sabrina Bahsoon, the social media personality known as "Tube Girl," has shared details of a four-month hospitalization following a sudden onset of psychosis. Bahsoon, who gained internet fame for her energetic lip-sync performances on the London Underground, revealed in a recent TikTok that her health crisis began in March.

Bahsoon described experiencing her first episode of psychosis after filming a video with the British girl group FLO. She reported acting erratically, crying hysterically, and attempting self-harm. Her sisters, alerted to her distressed state, called an ambulance. After a two-day stay in the emergency room where her condition worsened, she was discharged, only to become more agitated at home.

Law enforcement was called due to her behavior, and Bahsoon was taken into custody in handcuffs and subsequently transferred to a mental health facility. There, she was diagnosed with psychosis and began treatment with antipsychotic medication. However, her condition continued to deteriorate, leading to significant weight loss, catatonia, and difficulties with speech and sleep.

Bahsoon's father, suspecting a different underlying cause, advocated for further testing. He requested tests for anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a rare autoimmune disorder known to cause psychiatric symptoms, seizures, and movement disorders. Initial resistance from medical staff eventually gave way to testing, which revealed an ovarian teratoma. This tumor was identified as the trigger for her immune system attacking her brain, leading to a diagnosis of anti-NMDAR receptor encephalitis.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is noted to often affect young women, with initial symptoms mimicking psychiatric illnesses, making early diagnosis challenging. Bahsoon drew parallels between her experience and the book "Brain on Fire" by Susannah Cahalan, who also battled the same condition.

The hospital later issued an apology to Bahsoon for the delay in testing for the condition, acknowledging the significant impact on her life and memory. In June, she underwent surgery to remove the tumor, with her ovaries preserved. She also received immunotherapy to combat the harmful antibodies. Bahsoon was discharged in July, reflecting on the profound changes to her life, including memory loss, the end of a relationship, and the trauma of her extended hospital stay.

She emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself and pursuing further tests if experiencing similar symptoms, particularly if initially diagnosed with psychosis. Bahsoon expressed gratitude for receiving a diagnosis and treatment, recognizing that not all patients have such support systems.