I am contemplating on some of the possible behavioral conditions which accompany disease forms such as Lyme, and toxoplasma.
If a microbe has ability to directly or indirectly produce cell mediators, or even neurotransmitters\peptides, then it is conceivable, that the organism can directly influence the thought patterns of host. The sociological implications of this, are enormous [consider a powerful world leader with disease] and even on smaller provincial levels.
So, I thought I would ask what common thread runs through affected people. Are there some common behavioral traits among Lyme sufferers? I know about "Lyme rage", but I am also thinking in terms of sexuality, habits, and other more subtle factors. Mirow
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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This can be a very slippery slope. We don't want lyme patients painted as not in control of their own thoughts and actions.
However, there are many articles about the neuropsychiatric effects of lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
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As for myself. I am still the same person I was before. Same personality. Same hopes dreams and joy in relating to others.
I am just very ill and very sensitive to stimuli.
I'm not happy about that but I'm not clinically depressed, either. Although, were I to know for sure that I could get no better than I am today, I would not want to live in this state of ill health.
But, who would?
I don't have lyme rage. I never had. I don't get more angry than anyone else but I also simply don't have the energy to engage in emotions that drain me.
I am still socially and psychologically healthy when my body can engage.
I hesitate categorizing patients' thoughts.
Some of our feelings and thoughts may actually be quite reasonable, all things considered. But, taken out of context by those uneducated in lyme and TBD, could be grossly misinterpreted and turn on the lyme community.
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Posted by eagle (Member # 19278) on :
quote:Originally posted by Keebler: However, there are many articles about the neuropsychiatric effects of lyme and other tick-borne diseases.
Keebler, Could you post some of these articles? I think it would be very helpful for those of us who develop emotional issues on and off throughout treatment.
Posted by microw (Member # 14702) on :
Thanks Keebler. I certainly can see how sensitive this issue can be. I am trying to focus on possible soluble protein factors, which may be contributing to the disease process. In this respect, any first account feed-back is helpful. Thanks
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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Sorry, that would be a huge undertaking and one for which I have little energy. There are hundreds of such articles if you search "neuropsychiatric, borrelia"
Start with the LDA website, then ILADS, search PubMed for "Fallon, Nields, borrelia"
And the library here at Lyme Net - look to the left menu for medical abstracts, etc.
Also - go to the NEWBIE links by both Treepatrol and by BettyG and the Lymebrary.
Remember that not everyone with lyme has the same set of symptoms, though. And, the IDSA would love to categorize all lyme patients as mental patients with little distinction in the physical / infection connection.
Hopefully, others will come along to guide your search.
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You should also search "Virginia Sherr" and "The Human Side of Lyme" - she has written extensively on this topic.
May 2008 Volume 39 Number 5 LABMEDICINE www.labmedicine.com - American Society for Clinical Pathology
CHRONIC BACTERIAL AND VIRAL INFECTIONS IN NEURODEGENERATIVE AND NEUROBEHAVIORAL DISEASES
- by Garth Nicolson, Ph.D.
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Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
We aren't entirely in control of our thoughts and actions. Biologically you're entire ability to navigate and interact with other people and the world hinges on your brains ability to execute function. If the brain is damaged or in a disease state, then any information output will be distorted, including personality, moods, reactions, even unconscious patterns.
Everyone and anyone is subject to this, it's a fact.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
from my newbie links ...
Distinct Pattern of Cognitive Impairment Noted in Study of Lyme Patients .....MUST READ!! EXPLAINS EVERYTHING !! written by Marian Rissenberg PhD & Susan Chambers MD, The Lyme Times, Vol. 20, Jan-Mar 1998, pp. 29-32
i copied that and included that in my SSDI app going to admin law judge; don't know if they read it or not! but it describes us to a T !
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
I noticed w's actions, ability to speak & process thought seemed to diminish after he got that 'tick bite' in the summer of '07. STARI, my ***! Ol' George's probably gettin' better medical care down there in TX than most, though. I think he "misunderestimated" what that bite might DO. Posted by microw (Member # 14702) on :
Thanks everybody for your comments. And BettyG--thank you for that link. I will study this report, it looks like something I was looking for. Microw
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