PSYCHIATRIC MANIFESTATIONS OF LYME BORRELIOSIS

Background: Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease), a tick-borne spirochetal illness. has later manifestations that may include arthritic. neurolog ic, ophthalmologic, and cardiac symptoms. Recent reports suggest psych iatric symptoms may also be part of the clinical picture. Method. Usin g a structured interview (SCID), we interviewed three patients who had developed a psychiatric disorder for the first time after infection w ith Borrelia burgdorferi. Results: During Lyme borreliosis, one patien t had major depression and panic disorder, one patient had an organic mood syndrome with both depression and mania, and the third patient ha d panic disorder. These disorders remitted after adequate antibiotic t reatment. Conclusion: While depression has been previously linked to n euroborreliosis, this is the first report to link panic disorder and m ania with borrelial infection. Because of the rapid rise of Lyme borre liosis nationwide and the need for antibiotic treatment to prevent sev ere neurologic damage, mental health professionals need to be aware of its possible psychiatric presentations.