Lyme disease leaves people fatigued, aching joints, and maddeningly itchy lesions, as it is popularly known. What is mind-blowing to many is how much this disease can affect one's mind. For instance, unknown to many, the psychological effects of Lyme disease can be exceptionally debilitating like the physical ones even more.

This part of the blog will address everything concerning the emotional and psychological impacts of Lyme disease, the reasons for the same, and how patients and caregivers can contribute to improving the mental health of the patients during their recovery process.

What Is Lyme Disease?

Liable for the infection in humans, Lyme disease stems from the bite of an infected black-legged tick. It is a disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and, when not treated, produces a variety of physical, neurological, and psychiatric symptoms.

While oral antibiotics cure many patients early on, some patients go incorrectly diagnosed or undiagnosed for several months or even for many years. Such chronic issues usually present persistent symptoms, including severe mental implications, so they continue suffering.

Why Lyme Disease Affects Mental Health.

The basis of the mental health impacts of Lyme disease could be from physiological sources as well as psychological.

1. Neurological Involvement

The adult bacteria can cross the blood-brain barrier, causing neuroborreliosis, which would affect the central nervous system and lead to cognitive changes, mood disturbances, and emotional dysregulation.

2. Immune System Inflammation

In addition, inflammation stalks psychiatric symptoms, especially anxiety and depression, both within the brain and throughout the body. Inflammation alters neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are highly important to emotional balance.

3. Isolation and Misdiagnosis

Most Lyme patients will be misunderstood or disbelieved at some stage by doctors, friends, or family members. All these problems associated with misdiagnosis or late treatment lead to mental exhaustion, hopelessness, and isolation.

4. Chronic Illness Weariness

An incredibly mentally exhausting experience is living with a chronic illness. While watching that agony never ceases and symptoms are unpredictable and the determination of never getting better comes into view, it can drain even the strongest of minds.

Common Mental Health Symptoms Associated With Lyme Disease

While each person's experience varies greatly, below are some of the most commonly reported mental health effects of Lyme disease:

Depression: Chronic cases are characterized by constant low mood, loss of interest in activities, and a feeling of worthlessness in many Lyme patients.

Anxiety: Most of these patients experience generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or health-related fears that interfere with their day-to-day lives.

Brain fog: Commonly frustrating and alarming are the inabilities to concentrate, forgetfulness, and processing speed.

Excitability and sudden outbursts of rage: Most people have their ups and downs emotionally, especially when neurological symptoms are up.

Insomnia or sleep disturbance: It worsens the symptoms of poor mental health, forming a vicious cycle.

Social withdrawal: As symptoms worsen and the understanding level of the world around them decreases, they lose contact with loved ones.

Real-Life Experiences

For most people, these struggles are said to be mentally frightening. It is not surprising for people to challenge that they "don't feel like themselves any longer."

"A few examples are:" It's not the joint pain that broke me": brain fog and panic attacks. It felt as though I was going insane alone, and no one understood."

Such experiences are valid and are becoming increasingly established by both physicians who understand Lyme's illness and shamans.

Reaching Out and Getting Treatment

If you're dealing with the role Lyme disease plays in mental health or know an individual who does, non-judgmental assistance is possible. Here are some of the ways of achieving emotional recovery:

1. Consult with Lyme-Literate Practitioner

An LLMD is someone who understands everything that Lyme entails, including the psychological aspects involved and can, therefore, design an appropriate treatment plan to address the physical and neurological aspects.

2. Be with a Therapist Who Diagnoses and Treats Chronic Illness

A very effective avenue of healing is talk therapy, especially when it is with someone conversant with chronic disease. Therapists also help patients process trauma, develop ways of coping, and reduce anxiety.

3. Emotional Healing Through Holistic Means

Meditation, journaling, yoga, breathwork, and even joining support groups can incrementally lessen chronic stress and help with emotional resilience. Such practices are no substitutes for healthcare but are expected to serve as enhancements.

4. Consider Sleep as a Priority

In the absence of darkness, mental health symptoms become amplified. Natural sleep enhancers, proper hygiene during sleep, and calming bedtime routines improve mood and cognition.

5. Form an Alliance of Networks 

One networking option could be a local Lyme support group or an online one. Making connections with some of those who understand your experience toward sharing reduces the feeling of isolation.