Based on the recent report, patients who are hospitalized for Lyme disease had suicidal thoughts and mental illnesses. Among them, 28% had mental illness and 46% had suicidal thoughts. Discover what Lyme disease looks like and why people affected with Lyme disease go through suicidal thoughts and mental illness?

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. This disease is caused by the bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, which gets transmitted through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. 

Symptoms of Lyme Disease

From fever and rash to arthritis, Lyme disease is associated with various symptoms, depending on the stage of Lyme disease symptoms. 

Early-Stage 

The early symptoms occur from day 3 to day 30 after the tick bite. During this time the infected person undergoes symptoms like 

  • Fever 
  • Headache 
  • Fatigue 
  • Muscle and joint aches 
  • Swollen lymph nodes 
  • Erythema Migrans rash 

The erythema migraines occur in 70 to 80 percent of infected persons and it may take upto seven days for some persons. It appears on any part of the body and not only on the site of the bite. 

Later Stage 

The later signs and symptoms occur after 30 days from the tick bite. During this time the infected person will undergoes various symptoms like 

  • Arthritis
  • Dizziness
  • Numbness
  • Nerve pain
  • Facial palsy
  • Neck stiffness
  • Heart Palpitation 
  • Severe headache
  • Irregular Heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath  
  • Inflammation on the brain
  • Inflammation on the spinal cord 
  • Intermittent pains in joints, tendons, muscles, and bones

Risks Associated with Lyme Disease

Lyme disease can be found through symptoms like fever, headache, fatigue, and most importantly skin rash called erythema migrans. If Lyme disease is left untreated it can spread from your joints to the heart and nervous system. When it reaches the nervous system, it stimulates the person into suicidal thoughts and mental illness. Lyme disease can be found with its visual symptoms during the early stages and it can be treated before reaching the final stage. 

How to Get Rid of Suicidal Thoughts and Mental Illness

In most cases, Lyme disease can be diagnosed and treated successfully with the help of a few weeks of continuous medications. Lyme disease can be prevented by using insect repellent, removing ticks, applying pesticides, and reducing tick surroundings. The Lyme disease that is transmitted through ticks can cause other tick-borne diseases too.  So, it is recommended to take a tick test after it bites you.