How Lyme Disease Affects Mental Health
Understanding the Link Between Lyme Disease and Mental Health
When most people think of Lyme disease, they picture its physical symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, or flu-like conditions. But what often goes unnoticed are the profound ways Lyme disease can impact mental health. As both a personal survivor of Lyme and a mental health therapist, I feel compelled to shine a light on the mental health struggles that can stem from this illness.
Lyme disease doesn’t just attack the body; it can also wreak havoc on the mind, causing anxiety, depression, mood swings, and concentration issues. This is why recognizing the connection between Lyme disease and mental health is crucial—not just for individuals suffering from the disease but also for healthcare professionals who may not consider Lyme as the root cause of their patient’s distress.
My Personal Journey With Lyme and Mental Health
I was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2022, but even before my diagnosis, I noticed troubling changes in my mental and physical well-being. Typically, I didn’t experience much anxiety, but it started to creep into my life in unsettling ways. I felt heart palpitations, my body was tense, and day-to-day tasks suddenly became overwhelming.
Driving was once a nonissue for me, but as I developed a fear of driving due to vertigo, it became a significant source of anxiety. Speaking in front of groups or leading presentations—which I’d done easily before—became a daunting battle. These experiences left me bewildered and exhausted.
Through a year-long treatment plan that included antibiotics and a detox protocol, I began to heal. Slowly, the anxiety eased. My heart palpitations subsided, the tension in my body lessened, and I started feeling more like myself. These improvements underscored just how closely linked my mental health challenges were to my battle with Lyme disease.
At the time, I didn’t realize those symptoms were mild compared to the mental health struggles others with Lyme face.
How Lyme Disease Impacts Mental Health
Lyme disease is not just a physical illness; it often has far-reaching neurological and psychological effects. When the bacteria that cause Lyme (and its coinfections, like bartonella and babesia) spread to the nervous system, they can significantly impact mental health.
Common mental health symptoms associated with Lyme disease
Common mental health symptoms associated with Lyme disease include:
Anxiety: Heightened levels of anxiety, sometimes accompanied by physical symptoms like racing heartbeats.
Depression: A deep, unexplained sadness that is resistant to improvement through conventional means.
Mood Swings and Irritability: Sudden and intense shifts in mood, frequently described as “Lyme rage.”
Cognitive Decline: Impaired concentration, memory issues, and general brain fog, making even simple tasks harder to manage.
For those with Lyme coinfections, these symptoms can become even more pronounced, leading to severe emotional instability.
When mental health professionals are unaware of the connection between Lyme disease and mental health, patients can end up heavily misdiagnosed. Many are prescribed psychiatric medications that don’t address the root cause, which can sometimes exacerbate their symptoms as Lyme progresses untreated.
Why Awareness about Mental Health-Related Affects of Lyme Disease Is Critical
The intersection of Lyme disease and mental health is one of the lesser-discussed challenges of this illness—but it’s a conversation we need to have. With approximately 476,000 new Lyme disease cases reported annually, according to the CDC, the chances are high that many patients presenting with mental health concerns may have underlying Lyme disease.
May is both Lyme Disease Awareness Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, which makes this the perfect time to talk about these overlapping challenges. For mental health professionals, understanding the complexities of Lyme disease could deeply improve care for many patients. For those currently battling Lyme disease, recognizing their symptoms as part of a larger picture could inspire the right questions, the right tests, and ultimately, the right treatment plan.
Hope for Healing from Lyme Disease
While Lyme disease can be overwhelming, it’s important to remember that healing is possible. For anyone dealing with this illness, here are some valuable steps to take both for your mental and physical well-being:
Work With a Lyme-Literate Professional: Seek out medical professionals who specialize in Lyme disease and understand its wide array of symptoms.
Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with people who understand what you're going through, whether through local Lyme support groups or online forums.
Prioritize Mental Health: Therapy, mindfulness practices, and stress-reduction techniques can significantly help manage Lyme-related mental health challenges.
Stay Educated: Lyme disease is complex, but becoming informed about the condition can empower you to advocate for yourself and seek proper care.
For mental health professionals, I encourage you to research Lyme disease more deeply. Your awareness and understanding could be life-changing for your patients.
If you or someone you know is looking for resources to better understand Lyme's impact on mental health, organizations like the Illinois Lyme Association are filled with information and guidance.
Final Thoughts on Lyme Disease and Mental Health
Lyme disease and mental health are inseparable for many people who battle this condition. It’s essential to raise awareness, not just during Lyme Disease Awareness Month, but all year-round. By bringing a greater understanding to both Lyme disease and its profound effects on mental health, we can help those affected find the treatment and relief they deserve.
If you’re struggling to balance the mental and physical toll Lyme disease has taken on you, remember, you’re not alone. Healing is a journey, and every step forward is a victory.
Take care of your mind, your body, and most importantly, be kind to yourself.
For more support, visit any of our Two Roads Wellness Clinic locations or visit us online at www.tworoadswellnessclinic.com
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About Two Roads Wellness Clinic®
Two Roads Wellness Clinic® is an integrative wellness clinic. We truly believe in whole-person wellness and see more than just a list of symptoms.
Two Roads Wellness Clinic® is an integrative health clinic providing mental health services, primary care, nutrition support, massage services, life coaching, physical therapy, infrared sauna, yoga, animal-assisted therapy, emotional support animals, community outreach and education, and more.
With 4 convenient locations, our practice serves those in and around both Champaign and Vermilion counties. Our newest location is in Covington, Indiana
We provide counseling services for adults, children, couples and families, as well as mental health medication management and support, primary care services (with an easy membership option if preferred), groundbreaking GeneSight testing to determine the best medications for you, massage services, and nutrition support — including genetic testing and personalized plans.
Like the Robert Frost poem our name is based on, we want to help you find the path that makes a difference in YOUR life.
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I took the one less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.”Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken”
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