North Yorkshire man seeks help for unexplained seizures affecting sleep

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 05:20 · Archive

Patrick Skelton, 60, has suffered years of unexplained seizures that prevent him from sleeping, his wife says.

Patrick Skelton, 60, from Welburn near Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, has experienced years of unexplained seizures that leave him unable to sleep, according to his wife Jillian. She describes the episodes as lasting weeks and being 'like a kind of torture'. When he eventually falls asleep from exhaustion, he is repeatedly jolted awake. Jillian said the episodes 'can be terrifying, not only for Patrick but also for those who love him'.

The lack of sleep means Patrick 'becomes a shell', Jillian said, yet 'despite all of this, he tries so desperately hard to live a normal life that many who know him don't even know he has anything wrong'. Patrick works from home as a programmer and artist, and has a degree in computer science from the University of York, where he won the Spektra Tek Prize for Best Final Year Project. He began a career as a video game programmer for York-based Revolution Software.

Jillian said Patrick has suffered from mental health difficulties all his life including panic attacks, anxiety and depression. However, his health condition has no single name, which makes finding treatment difficult. She said his symptoms 'cross medical boundaries - part neurological, part cardiology, part psychological'. Patrick is a father of six and grandfather of 14.

How it is being reported

• Woman in bid to help husband whose unexplained seizures mean he can’t sleepA North Yorkshire man has suffered years of unexplained seizures which have left him unable to sleep, his wife said.Gazette & Herald (Malton) · 31 Oct, 04:00
• Woman in bid to help husband whose unexplained seizures mean he can’t sleepA North Yorkshire man has suffered years of unexplained seizures which have left him unable to sleep, his wife said.The Press (York) · 31 Oct, 04:00

In this story: Patrick Skelton · Jillian Skelton · North Yorkshire · University of York · Revolution Software

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