MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES & LYME DISEASE Physicians unfamiliar with even the basic signs and symptoms of  Lyme and tick borne diseases have been known to dismiss patients,  with some referring them to psychiatrists after labeling them "crazy". The Truth Is.... Brain infections and trauma can cause a person to experience a variety of mild to severe signs and symptoms.  Lyme and tick borne disease infections are no exception.  The articles below were written by experts in the field of mental health and Lyme disease.   The authors not only "get it", they have shared their clinical findings and vast experiences to assist those experiencing issues sometimes caused or even heightened by the poor treatment patients receive at the hands of doctors who are not educated about tick borne diseases.  For their continuing efforts and understanding, we are very grateful. Please click on the links below for more information.   Aggression & Lyme  All in Your Head?   Boundaries 101  Cognitive Impairments   Depression & Suicide  How it Affects Learning  Identify Lyme in Schools  Microbes Mental Illness   Neuropsychiatric Posttraumatic Stress  Psychotropic Management  Reflections on LD in Family Schizoaffective Disorder Schizophrenia & Borreliosis Screening Protocol  Sex & Lyme Disease  Sign of Memory Loss Spirochetes Brain  Success Stories- A Clowning Achievement Tale of 2 Spirochetes  TBD in Children Teens- Rage & Infected Brain Mental Health Issues & Lyme Disease National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 International Suicide Hotline CAUTION Some people who die by suicide  Do not show any warning signs Untreated depression is the  Number one cause for suicide Suicide Warning Signs Suicide Symptoms Infections affecting the brain can cause a person to experience a variety of mild to severe signs and symptoms.  Lyme and tick borne disease infections are no exception.   A recent study by Dr. Robert Bransfield, an early pioneer and Lyme literate expert, estimates there are approximately 1,200 deaths from Lyme related suicides each year in the United States.  Source   Support From The Lyme Community- Lyme disease support group leaders are volunteers working to assist people as they are able (not on call 24/7).  None of them are formally trained to advise, handle or treat mild to severe depression or psychiatric issues. Professional avenues of support should be explored immediately if someone is having emotional or mental health issues.  It doesn’t matter if the person at risk has Lyme disease or any other condition when it comes to requiring help for depression, anxiety or any mental illnesses.  A Lyme patient dos not need to seek out Lyme literate professionals in this case.   The most important steps to take are to enlist the help of a trained psychiatrist or psychologist ASAP, and have the person in need treated until stable.  Other medical conditions can be addressed once that is accomplished. If the person requiring assistance has a Lyme treating health care professional you can call their office for a referral. They should have a list of who they refer their patients to for psychiatric intervention and treatment, and they should be notified of the current situation. Lyme Treating Health Care Professionals- Nationwide