Many people with Lyme disease experience debilitating anxiety. Yet, their complaints are often dismissed or misdiagnosed. There is a biological connection between this disease and anxiety, confirming that their symptoms, such as rapid heart rate, mood swings, and chronic panic, are very real. A proper diagnosis by a Lyme-literate team of specialists can lead to personalized treatment and an opportunity to reclaim life.
Nobody knows how you feel better than you. So, when you are tired all of the time and always feel on edge, you know something is wrong. Sadly, many doctors are quick to brush it off as anxiety, even if you know your body and know it goes much deeper than that.
You are not alone.
If you have been diagnosed with Lyme disease or suspect that you may have it, you should know that it can cause anxiety. This article explores the symptoms, causes, and what to do to feel seen and get the treatment you need.
Lyme Disease and Anxiety Are More Connected Than You Think
Lyme disease is a physical illness. It can present with a rash, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and even flu-like symptoms. But it also has an emotional and neurological impact, too. And for those who have been diagnosed with it, the latter may actually be more debilitating.
The symptoms of anxiety can appear suddenly and become overwhelming. This leaves you not only dealing with the symptoms that can be seen, but also with those that cannot. At Lyme Mexico, we have treated many patients who have silently suffered with anxiety, while also trying to manage their physical symptoms of the disease. Treatment must address both.
Why? What’s the connection?
Lyme disease affects the body, including the brain. The bacteria responsible for it, Borrelia burgdorferi, can cross the blood-brain barrier, triggering inflammation throughout your central nervous system. The result? A wide range of psychiatric symptoms, including depression, mood swings, and, of course, anxiety.
Symptoms of Lyme-Induced Anxiety
Nearly everyone at some point will deal with stress and anxiety due to life’s challenges. But individuals with Lyme disease understand that their anxiety doesn’t just brush the surface—it goes much, much deeper.
The symptoms of this anxiety can vary from person to person. So, we’ve compiled a list of the most common signs to look out for.
- Rapid heart rate, even at rest
- Racing thoughts
- Obsessive worry
- Chronic sense of panic or dread
- Sleep struggles, such as difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Challenges with social situations
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Brain fog, inability to focus, and difficulty making decisions
- Changes in mood
- Irritability
The frequency at which these symptoms appear will vary, but they will almost always return time and time again. Unfortunately, these symptoms are pushed aside because those around you, including some medical professionals, cannot see what is going on. This is why it is so important to work with a Lyme-literate team like ours. We get to the root cause of your illness in order to address all of your ailments.
Lyme Disease Triggers Anxiety—For Real
Understanding how Lyme disease can trigger all of these symptoms can help to reassure you that what you are feeling is very real. It actually has a biological cause, and you are not imagining things. Let’s take a closer look at how it happens.
Neuroinflammation. The Lyme bacteria cause inflammation in the brain tissue and nerves, resulting in altered mood and anxiety.
Dysfunctional Neurotransmitters. Brain chemicals like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA regulate your emotions, sleep, and ability to handle stress. These can become affected.
Toxin Overflow. Toxins can build up in the body as it fights off infections, causing an overstimulated nervous system.
Co-Infections. Tick-borne infections, like Bartonella, in addition to Lyme, can elevate the psychiatric symptoms you feel.
Additionally, being sick with Lyme disease can put a lot of mental and emotional stress on the body, especially when it is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. You may feel unseen, unheard, and isolated in your struggle. It’s no surprise that anxiety shows up.
How to Handle Lyme Disease and Anxiety
Ready for some good news? Lyme-induced anxiety can be addressed in a way that will bring you relief. However, there is no universal solution. Rather, personalized plans can address your health and allow you to reclaim your life.
Get a Proper Diagnosis
Misdiagnosis is so common with Lyme disease, causing patients to miss out on the very treatment they need. The testing for chronic Lyme is in-depth and involves advanced diagnostics. It also includes looking for co-infections and neuroinflammation. So, if you feel as though you may be suffering from this condition, be sure to seek out a Lyme-literate medical team, such as Dr. Omar Morales and the team at Lyme Mexico.
Don’t settle.
Get to the Root Cause
Treating your symptoms may bring you momentary relief, but it is not going to get to the heart of the problem. It is essential that you take a whole body approach using functional and integrative treatment methods. Detox therapy, inflammation reduction, and more are all vital aspects to helping your body heal.
Soothe the Nervous System
Breathing exercises, meditation, grounding techniques, and yoga are all wonderful tools for reducing anxiety. But it is necessary to support a reset of the nervous system to allow rest and recovery. These can be found with the use of IV nutrients, hyperbaric oxygen, and others.
You Deserve Answers About Your Anxiety
If you have been told your anxiety is all in your head, let’s talk. Our team at Lyme Mexico Clinic specializes in treating Lyme disease and everything that comes along with it, including anxiety. Travel outside the country, such as outside the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand and find alternate treatments that will give you the relief you have been hoping for. We know that masking your symptoms is not treating your illness.
It doesn’t matter where you are on your health journey; we create customized treatment plans to get to the root cause of your illness and walk alongside you with the perfect mix of compassion and expertise.
Take a step toward your future when you schedule a consultation and become a patient today with Lyme Mexico.