There is a long list of factors that influence a person’s mental health, including everything from genetics to environmental stressors. One thing that can significantly increase a person’s risk of developing mental health problems is having a chronic disease. This is especially true for people who have ongoing symptoms from a tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease and Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever.
A study funded by the Global Lyme Alliance and published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that people who have had a single diagnosis of Lyme disease have a 24% increased risk of any mental health disorder. That risk jumps to 79% for those who have had two or more episodes of Lyme disease. The risk was particularly high for people ages 20-29.
Many mental health providers provide support for people who have developed new depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, or other mental health problems after getting a Lyme diagnosis. They may also have patients who have existing mental health issues that have been exacerbated by Lyme.
Therapists and psychiatrists can benefit their clients and their practice by better understanding the direct and indirect links between Lyme disease and mental health. This understanding can help them provide better, more informed mental health treatment.
What mental health professionals should know about Lyme disease
1. The stress of getting an accurate diagnosis and seeking treatment for Lyme can cause or exacerbate mental health issues.
One of the trickiest things about Lyme disease is the diagnosis process. It’s not uncommon for people with Lyme disease to go years without getting a proper diagnosis, let alone finding the right treatment options for them.
On their journey towards diagnosis, people often face medical providers and doctors that doubt their patient’s experiences or minimize their symptoms, along with inaccurate testing that can lead to misdiagnosis. The process of seeking diagnosis and treatment can cause significant financial strain and overall stress, all of which can exacerbate depression and anxiety, and increase the risk of mental disorders.
Mental health professionals can be a vital source of support for patients who suspect they have a tick-borne disease like Lyme as they seek answers about their health.
2. Lyme disease can directly affect the brain and central nervous system, affecting mental health and cognition.
The effects of Lyme disease on mental health are not just from the stress of seeking diagnosis and treatment. The biological effects of Lyme can increase the rate of mental disorders amongst patients.
In particular, the condition known as neurological Lyme, or neuroborreliosis, occurs in about 15% of untreated patients. The condition can affect both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Potential symptoms include aseptic meningitis and facial palsy, which can be treated with antibiotics. However, permanent neurological injury can result from a delay in treatment.
The neurological consequences of untreated Lyme can manifest as mental illness. People with psychiatric disorders related to Lyme disease may experience symptoms like fatigue, depression, anxiety, brain fog, rage, sleep disturbances, Bipolar disorder, and more. The longer that Lyme disease goes untreated, the more likely a patient is to develop these symptoms and disorders.
The direct effects of Lyme disease on mental health on a neurological and cognitive level are exacerbated by the indirect effects of living with a chronic disease. It’s important for mental health professionals working with Lyme patients to be familiar with these symptoms and the neurological impact Lyme disease can have on those affected by it.
3. The road to recovery from Lyme disease can be long and challenging.
Although Lyme disease can be resolved with antibiotics when detected early, up to 30% of patients experience chronic symptoms after treatment, referred to as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) or Chronic Lyme. People with chronic Lyme disease and PTLDS grapple with treatment-resistant symptoms that can cause or exacerbate mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Understanding the links between Lyme disease and mental health can help mental health professionals provide more effective tools and resources for patients who are struggling with Lyme.
4. Treatment for persistent Lyme symptoms is often holistic.
While antibiotics are the first line of treatment and are usually successful in resolving early cases of Lyme, the disease can persist after treatment (PTLDS), and the use of antibiotics to treat chronic Lyme (which often doesn’t show up on tests) is controversial.
Many people with PTLDS or chronic Lyme benefit from a more holistic approach to treatment that involves their diets, exercise, alternative medicine, mindfulness, and other tools. Mental health professionals can be a vital part of their treatment plan, along with attending support groups.
IGeneX is dedicated to providing unbiased information and resources on Lyme disease and treatment, although we do not advocate for any particular treatment option. Patients dealing with Lyme disease should always discuss treatment options carefully with their medical providers.
Supporting mental health patients with Lyme disease
Part of supporting patients with a chronic disease is understanding the direct and indirect ways that their disease can impact their mental health. This guide is intended to provide mental health professionals context so that they can provide better, more informed treatment for patients with Lyme disease.
The longer that Lyme disease goes untreated, the more likely patients are to develop mental health issues. The disease also becomes harder to treat overall. Accurate, timely testing is one of the important steps people can take to help prevent chronic symptoms, including those related to mental health. IGeneX offers extensive options for tick-borne disease testing, including Lyme disease, so that people can better access the treatment they need.