A father brought his 12-year-old son to my office after months of growing concern. His son had always been active and curious — the kind of kid who couldn’t wait to get outside or build something with his hands. But lately, something had shifted. In some children, infections such as Lyme disease and other tick-borne […]
They Said It Was ADHD — But It Was Lyme Disease Read More »
Why Did My Child Suddenly Change? Lyme Disease, PANS, and PANDAS One of the most distressing things a parent can witness is a sudden, unexplained change in their child. A once joyful, focused child may become anxious, obsessive, withdrawn, or even aggressive. They may stop eating, have trouble sleeping, or begin experiencing panic attacks or
Why Did My Child Suddenly Change? Lyme Disease, PANS, and PANDAS Read More »
A parent’s guide to recognizing and treating Lyme disease in children Quick Answer: Can Lyme Disease Look Like Stress in Teenagers? Yes. Lyme disease in teenagers can cause fatigue, anxiety, mood changes, difficulty concentrating, and sleep problems. Because these symptoms overlap with stress or mental health concerns, Lyme disease may be overlooked if physical symptoms
Lyme Disease in Teens: When Symptoms Look Like Stress Read More »
Only a Minority of Children With Lyme Disease Recall a Tick Bite Children and Lyme Disease: Why Most Never See a Tick Bite A mother once told me, "I check my kids every night after they play outside. I would have seen a tick." She was certain. But her 8-year-old son had Lyme disease—and neither
Only a Minority of Children With Lyme Disease Recall a Tick Bite Read More »
A nine-year-old complains of knee pain at bedtime. A twelve-year-old wakes up crying with leg aches. A teenager limps after soccer practice. When children report joint or muscle pain, “growing pains” becomes the default explanation—delaying investigation of Lyme disease. Understanding the key differences prevents months of dismissed symptoms while treatable infection damages joints. For a
Growing Pains or Lyme Disease? How to Tell the Difference Read More »
A mother brings her daughter to three different doctors over six months. The child has debilitating fatigue, recurring headaches, and joint pain. Each visit ends the same way: “The tests are normal. There’s nothing wrong.” But the mother knows something is wrong—and she’s right. Medical dismissal in pediatric Lyme disease reflects systemic challenges—testing limitations, atypical
When Doctors Say Nothing Is Wrong: Medical Dismissal and Lyme Disease in Children Read More »
A straight-A student starts forgetting homework. A focused child suddenly can’t sit still in class. An organized teenager becomes scattered, impulsive, and unable to concentrate. When cognitive symptoms appear abruptly rather than gradually, the diagnosis may not be ADHD—it could be Lyme disease affecting the brain. The overlap between ADHD and Lyme-induced cognitive dysfunction creates
Is My Child’s ADHD Actually Lyme Disease? Read More »
Pediatric Lyme Disease: Why Children Are Frequently Misdiagnosed Pediatric Lyme disease misdiagnosis occurs because the illness rarely looks like the textbook descriptions clinicians learn in medical school. While adults often present with fatigue and joint pain, children may develop sudden behavioral changes, academic struggles, or psychiatric symptoms that are attributed to other causes. This diagnostic
Pediatric Lyme Disease: Why Children Are Misdiagnosed Read More »
Childhood Lyme doesn’t just make kids sick—it takes their confidence, joy, and the childhood they should be living. One father watched his son lose interest in school, sports, and friends. “It was taking away who he was.” Learn why doctors miss these invisible losses.
Childhood Lyme Disease: What It Really Takes From Children Read More »
Most Tick Bites Go Unnoticed A patient once told me, “I check myself carefully — I would have seen a tick.” This is a common belief. But actually, tick bites are very easy to miss. The ticks that most frequently spread Lyme disease aren’t large or obvious — they’re nymphs, smaller than a poppy seed
Most Tick Bites Go Unnoticed Read More »
