Elizabeth's Story

My journey into injury did not happen all at once. It developed over time, through layers of stress, environmental exposure, and medical decisions made in the context of not yet understanding what my body was experiencing.

At the time, I was a fast-paced healthcare worker, both at home and professionally. I was overloaded, working multiple jobs just to make ends meet. My body was already under sustained stress.

In 2013, I became severely ill with what I believed was the flu. Around that same time, our home experienced significant structural issues, a major water line break beneath the house and an unnoticed roof leak following a hailstorm. This led to moisture intrusion and the growth of mold in areas we did not initially recognize as hazardous. Like many, we did not fully understand the implications. We cleaned, painted over visible areas, and moved forward, unaware that deeper contamination remained.

Mold is not just a surface issue. Certain species can produce mycotoxins, which are secondary metabolites capable of affecting human health when inhaled, ingested, or absorbed. These compounds can contribute to inflammatory responses, neurological symptoms, respiratory issues, and immune dysregulation in susceptible individuals (Bennett & Klich, 2003; Brewer et al., 2013).

In 2014, we moved into what we believed was a safe, move-in-ready home. Over time, we later discovered prior sewage backup and environmental conditions that likely contributed to additional microbial growth within the structure. These exposures were not visible, but they were impactful.

By the fourth year in that home, my health had significantly declined. I began experiencing persistent symptoms, head pressure, fluid in my ears, fatigue, and cognitive changes, that did not resolve. In response, I was prescribed multiple medications to treat what appeared to be psychiatric and physical symptoms. When one medication caused adverse effects, another was added. Then another.

At the time, neither I nor my provider recognized that environmental factors could be contributing to what I was experiencing. Instead, my symptoms were interpreted through a psychiatric lens.

There is evidence that exposure to damp and moldy indoor environments is associated with neurological and cognitive symptoms, including mood changes, fatigue, and concentration difficulties. Importantly, some studies note that these symptoms may improve when individuals are removed from the exposure source (WHO, 2009; Shoemaker & House, 2006).

As medications were layered, my condition became more complex. I developed reactions that included severe agitation, cognitive impairment, and akathisia. These were interpreted as worsening psychiatric symptoms, which led to additional medications being introduced.

Over time, I became increasingly sensitive, to medications, to environmental triggers, and even to everyday substances. Fragrances, chemicals, and exposures that once seemed harmless began to provoke reactions. Even our animals became ill, showing symptoms that we did not yet understand.

The turning point came when environmental conditions in our home shifted, humidity increased, and visible mold growth appeared in areas we could no longer ignore. What I once believed was dust was, in fact, widespread microbial growth on porous surfaces throughout the home.

At that point, the picture began to change.

The environment I was living in was not safe.

And the treatments I had been given were not addressing the root cause.

Once we left that environment, a new phase began, navigating the effects of long-term medication use and withdrawal. Benzodiazepines, in particular, can lead to physiological dependence, and abrupt changes or discontinuation can result in severe withdrawal symptoms, including neurological and psychological distress (Lader, 2011; Ashton, 2005).

During this period, I experienced acute withdrawal symptoms that included depersonalization, severe anxiety, cognitive disruption, and suicidal thoughts. These experiences were intense and disorienting, and at times, I did not recognize myself.

Despite multiple medical visits, standard testing often returned “normal,” leaving me without clear answers.

Over time, I was also identified as having conditions consistent with heightened immune and chemical sensitivity responses, including Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), both of which are associated with exaggerated responses to environmental triggers in certain individuals.

Recovery did not happen quickly.

It required removing ongoing exposures, gradually discontinuing medications under safer conditions, and rebuilding a living environment that supported healing. It required patience, persistence, and a willingness to question what I once assumed to be true.

Today, I still experience sensitivities to certain chemicals and environmental triggers. But I have also regained clarity, stability, and a sense of connection to myself that once felt out of reach.

There is hope, but it is not immediate.

Healing, in my experience, was not a quick fix. It required active participation, environmental awareness, and time.

What I learned through this journey is that not all suffering fits neatly into one category. Some individuals are helped by medications. Others experience harm. Some conditions are environmental. Others are not. Many are a combination.

That is why this work matters.

Because people deserve to be heard, especially when their experiences do not fit the expected narrative.

If you are navigating something that does not make sense…
If you feel like your body is reacting in ways you cannot explain…
If you have been told everything is “normal,” but you know something is not right…

You are not alone.

There is a path forward.

And there is hope.

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References

Ashton, H. (2005). The diagnosis and management of benzodiazepine dependence. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 18(3), 249–255.
Bennett, J. W., & Klich, M. (2003). Mycotoxins. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 16(3), 497–516.
Brewer, J. H., Thrasher, J. D., Straus, D. C., Madison, R. A., & Hooper, D. (2013). Detection of mycotoxins in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Toxins, 5(4), 605–617.
Lader, M. (2011). Benzodiazepines revisited—will we ever learn? Addiction, 106(12), 2086–2109.
Shoemaker, R. C., & House, D. E. (2006). Sick building syndrome (SBS) and exposure to water-damaged buildings. NeuroToxicology, 27(1), 29–46.
World Health Organization. (2009). WHO guidelines for indoor air quality: Dampness and mould.

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