Contracting Lyme Disease Now May Be Linked to Mental Health Symptoms Later

For many Illinois residents, the state’s expansive outdoor spaces provide a respite from the day-to-day stresses of life. Whether it’s hunting, biking, camping, or hiking, Illinois offers endless opportunities to unplug and reconnect with nature.

But for some outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers, spending time in these natural areas could come with an unexpected health risk: Lyme disease.

While Lyme disease is often associated with fever, joint pain, or a bull’s-eye rash when it appears, its mental health symptoms are less commonly known, even though they can be just as debilitating.

Illinois, like many states, is home to blacklegged ticks that carry Borrelia burgdorferi, a bacterial species that causes Lyme disease. And for those who contract it, the illness can affect physical health as well as mental well-being.

The Mental Health Impact of Lyme Disease

In addition to a range of physical symptoms, Lyme disease also can cause several mental health issues. The following graphic from Illinois Lyme Association illustrates some of the Lyme-related mental health symptoms.

What the Research Says

The connection between Lyme disease and mental health is supported by growing research revealing how the illness can lead to psychological and cognitive challenges, even after the infection is treated. Here are two key findings that highlight the impact of Lyme disease on mental well-being.

Lyme and Mood Disorders

A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease—whether during a hospital stay, outpatient visit or emergency room visit—were 28 percent more likely to develop mental health conditions. Additionally, their risk of suicide attempts was twice as high compared to those without a Lyme diagnosis.

People diagnosed with Lyme disease were also found to have a 42 percent increased risk of developing mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. Additionally, repeated infections were linked to even higher rates of mental health issues.

Lyme and Overall Mental Health

Another study explored the mental health status of 60 people—30 diagnosed with Lyme disease with nervous system involvement and 30 healthy individuals—using two questionnaires. Those diagnosed with Lyme disease were more likely to report challenges in the areas of anxiety, insomnia, depression and social functioning than the healthy study participants.

Ultimately, both studies highlight the need for greater public awareness of the mental health symptoms associated with Lyme disease and for more research on the topic.

What You Can Do About It

With proper precautions, you can minimize your risk of Lyme and tick-borne diseases while enjoying the beauty of the Illinois outdoors. Remember to apply tick repellent when outside and treat your clothing and gear with permethrin. Do your best to stay on trails when possible and perform tick checks when you come indoors. If you develop symptoms after a tick bite or suspected tick bite, talk with your healthcare professional.

A few simple tick prevention strategies can go a long way in protecting your physical and mental health. For more information on Lyme disease or the mental health symptoms associated with it, visit Illinois Lyme Association.

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Jenny Lelwica Buttaccio, OTR/L, is a health journalist based in Indiana and licensed occupational therapist. She lives with her husband and rescue dogs Emmi and Opal. When not writing, she can be found buried in a book, working out, or out in nature. Her work has been featured in HuffPo, Prevention, Men’s Health, Healthline and many other publications.

Sources

Fallon BA, Madsen T, Erlangsen A, Benros ME. Lyme Borreliosis and Associations With Mental Disorders and Suicidal Behavior: A Nationwide Danish Cohort Study. Am J Psychiatry. 2021 Oct 1; 178(10):921-931. doi: 10.1176/ appi.ajp.2021.20091347

Staszewska K. (2021). The state of mental health in people with a diagnosis of neuroborreliosis. Med Pr. 2021 Jun 30; 72(3):259-266. Polish. doi: 10.13075/mp.5893.01049