Lyme Disease:
Lyme Disease is caused by at least 20 species of Borrelia bacteria, usually transmitted by tick bites. Known as “The Great Imitator,” its symptoms mimic many illnesses. The spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi can affect any organ, including the brain, muscles, joints, and heart. Lyme is often misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or psychiatric disorders, delaying proper treatment. It occurs across the U.S., especially in the East, Midwest, and West Coast, and on every continent except Antarctica. Tiny nymph ticks pose the greatest risk as their bites go unnoticed, and longer attachment increases infection chances. Ticks may also carry other pathogens like Bartonella and Babesia.
Complications of Lyme disease are serious, yet awareness remains low. Diagnosing tick-borne illness is challenging due to varying lab accuracy and costs. The CDC captures only 10% of cases, and risk maps often misrepresent infected tick numbers, as many areas lack thorough testing. Lyme disease is a silent epidemic with widespread impact. Alec’s Place urges attention to this overlooked crisis, echoing Dr. Kenneth Liegner: “The mainstream handling of Chronic Lyme Disease will be seen as one of the most shameful episodes in medical history.”
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Expanding red rash (erythema migrans), often bull’s-eye shaped
Flu-like illness with fever, chills, fatigue, and body aches
Headache and neck stiffness
Swollen lymph nodes near the bite site
Joint or muscle pain that may shift location
Sensitivity to light or sound
Sleep disturbance and brain fog
Tingling, numbness, or burning sensations
Mood changes such as anxiety or irritability
Sore throat or mild cough
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Severe, migrating joint pain or swelling (often in knees)
Neurological issues: neuropathy, tremors, seizures, or paralysis
Cognitive dysfunction (“Lyme brain”), memory loss, word-finding trouble
Chronic fatigue and post-exertional malaise
Sleep disturbances and unrefreshing sleep
Mood disorders: depression, anxiety, panic attacks, or irritability
Sensory hypersensitivity to light, sound, touch, or smell
Autonomic dysfunction (POTS, dizziness, temperature instability)
Heart rhythm disturbances (Lyme carditis, palpitations)
Visual or auditory changes (blurred vision, tinnitus)
Immune dysregulation leading to PANS, autoimmune or inflammatory syndromes
Relapsing or cyclical symptom flares triggered by stress or infection
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Severe, migrating joint pain with or without visible swelling
Encephalopathy: confusion, disorientation, short-term memory loss
Encephalomyelitis: inflammation of brain and spinal cord causing weakness or paralysis
Peripheral neuropathy: burning, tingling, numbness, or electric-shock sensations
Cranial nerve palsies (facial paralysis, vision or hearing loss)
Seizures or abnormal muscle movements
Profound fatigue and loss of stamina
Cognitive decline, word-finding difficulty, slowed processing speed
Severe sleep disturbance or circadian rhythm disruption
Psychiatric manifestations: depression, panic, OCD, hallucinations, or psychosis
Autonomic instability (POTS, blood pressure swings, temperature dysregulation)
Sensory hypersensitivity to light, sound, vibration, or motion
Heart rhythm abnormalities and shortness of breath from neurocardiac effects
Immune-mediated complications such as PANS or autoimmune encephalitis
Relapsing symptom cycles triggered by infection, stress, or immune activation
Early vs. Late Lyme Disease Symptoms: What to Watch For!
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![Vector Borne Illness symptoms are commonly missed or mismanaged. A woman with long dark hair holding a rolled joint close to her lips, against a plain dark background.]()
Late Stage Borreliosis and Substance Abuse
Could Addiction be rooted in untreated vector borne infection?
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![Learn about Vector Borne Illness and associated mental health misdiagnosis. A person's hands holding an open book, with glasses resting on top of another open book. Several other books are spread out on the table around them.]()
Peer-Reviewed Evidence of Persistence of Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi and Tick-Borne Diseases
The following is a list of over 700 peer-reviewed articles that support the evidence of persistence of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. It is organized into different categories—general, neuropsychiatric, dementia and congenital transmission
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![Vector Borne Illness symptoms are commonly missed or mismanaged. A young girl with light hair and blue eyes resting her head on a stuffed animal, looking out a window with soft lighting and a serene expression.]()
Case Series: Investigating the Frequency of Tick-borne Infections in a Case Series of 37 Youth Diagnosed with Pediatric Bipolar Disorder
This study looked back at the records of 37 kids with bipolar disorder from a New Jersey clinic to see if tick-borne infections might play a role in their illness.
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![Stealth Pathogens evade the immune system. Close-up of tangled pink and white thread against a blue background.]()
Article: Survival strategies of Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease
To survive long-term, infectious microbes must fight, escape, or hide. Persistent pathogens avoid the immune system by suppressing it, hiding inside cells, changing their surface, or entering protected areas. This review looks at these strategies in Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.
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![Vector Borne Illness A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a yellow Adidas jacket, is resting his head in his hands and squinting with a distressed or tired expression. He is outdoors in a wooded area with tall trees and cloudy sky visible above.]()
Lyme Disease and Mental Health: Understanding the Psychological Impact of Vector-Borne Diseases
What if mental illness is actually the manifestation of metabolic disturbance from bacterial vector pathogenes?
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![A family of five, wearing denim jackets, sitting on the ground in a lush green forest with sunlight filtering through the trees.]()
Case Report: A One Health Zoonotic Vector Borne Infectious Disease Family Outbreak Investigation
This study highlights the value of a One Health approach in infectious disease outbreaks. When the son showed neuropsychiatric symptoms, we examined the entire family and pets—all exposed to fleas, ticks, rescued dogs, and other animals.
