Can Lyme Disease Cause Depression in Teenagers?
Is it depression alone?
Or something being missed?
Symptoms may have a medical cause
Lyme disease can present this way
Can Lyme disease cause depression in teenagers? Yes. In some cases, mood changes, cognitive decline, and academic struggles may reflect underlying Lyme disease rather than a primary psychiatric condition.
This pattern is often missed—especially when symptoms are attributed to depression alone.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms—including depression, anxiety, irritability, and cognitive impairment—are recognized features of neurologic Lyme disease.
For a broader pediatric perspective, see Pediatric Lyme Disease.
Depression as a Symptom of Lyme Disease
Depression can be part of the disease process in Lyme disease.
In some patients, mood changes appear before more typical physical symptoms are identified.
This can lead to misdiagnosis—especially in teenagers.
For more, see depression in Lyme disease patients.
A Teenager Misdiagnosed with Depression
A 16-year-old boy developed:
- Worsening depression
- Cognitive decline
- Academic failure
He also experienced:
- Anger and irritability
- Insomnia
- Poor appetite
- Passive suicidal thoughts
Initially, his symptoms were attributed to depression or behavioral issues.
But the pattern continued to worsen over time.
Clues It Was More Than Depression
Additional symptoms emerged:
- Brain fog
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Neurologic symptoms
- Sensory disturbances
When depression occurs alongside physical or neurologic symptoms, a broader diagnosis should be considered.
For symptom patterns, see Lyme disease symptoms guide.
Negative Tests Can Be Misleading
Initial Lyme screening tests were negative.
However, further evaluation supported Lyme disease.
This reflects a known limitation in testing.
For more, see Lyme test accuracy.
Treatment and Recovery
The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics.
Following treatment:
- Mood improved
- Cognitive function returned
- Physical symptoms resolved
- Academic performance improved
His depression resolved without antidepressant medication.
This highlights an important clinical pattern:
When the underlying cause is treated, symptoms can reverse.
Why This Is Often Missed
Several factors contribute to misdiagnosis:
- Symptoms overlap with primary psychiatric conditions
- Testing may be negative early
- Physical symptoms may be subtle or delayed
This contributes to delayed Lyme disease diagnosis.
Clinical Takeaway
Can Lyme disease cause depression in teenagers? Yes—especially when symptoms extend beyond mood alone.
Clinicians and families should look for:
- Cognitive decline
- Neurologic symptoms
- Physical complaints
- Progressive or fluctuating patterns
Recognizing these patterns can prevent missed diagnoses and improve outcomes.
Important Support
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline:
- Call or text 988
- Visit 988lifeline.org
Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.
Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention
If I had known about Lyme disease in the early 70’s. Which was unheard of then. I would not have chased Misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis for over 28 years. And I had a great diagnostician for a GP. this young man stands a chance I will not have. but sciences are changes and hopefully, there will be better recognition of those young people that fall through the cracks as we in the Lyme community fill those cracks.
I too was misdiagnosed at 17 with depression shortly after I had an EM rash. It is too easy for doctors to diagnose depression and prescribe tablets instead of looking further. The lazy attitude of doctors lead me to be misdiagnosed for another 30 years with depression even though I kept advising these professionals that I wasn’t depresssed but just unbareably and unbelievably tired. I can’t believe the difference treatment for lyme, bartonella,Rikketsia and babesia made to my life and you have no idea how annoyed I am that I was left to suffer for so long under the label of “depression”
“His Lyme ELISA results were negative twice in the prior 3 months, but his IgG Western blot revealed 4 of the 5 requisite CDC specific bands. A brain SPECT revealed findings consistent with encephalitis, vasculitis,
and Lyme disease.
Treatment response
The boy was diagnosed with probable Lyme encephalopathy and treated with 12 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone.
He improved on sleep, appetite, headaches, joint pains, numbness, distractibility, short-term memory, and emotional behavior. His depression cleared without the need for antidepressant medications. His IQ improved by 22 points, and his school performance markedly improved.”
This is the most stunning piece of the whole story to me…. that any medical practitioner can deny the havoc Lyme can deliver to a young person’s (any person’s) life is inexcusable in the light of the actual RESULTS of persistent curiosity in light of THREE negative ELISA tests (most regular doctors stop at one, hand the patient an Rx for Xanax and send them home). The doctors working with this boy were curious enough to keep looking for organic connections to his condition and, lo and behold, their persistence lead to a diagnosis and solution for him. This diagnosis and treatment saved his life. Literally saved his life. Why doctors aren’t being sued left and right for failure to diagnose is a Kafkatrap because, to do so, the fear of revealing the identity of the doctor who actually diagnosed and treated the TBDs is enough to keep patients quiet…. fear of derailing the life and practice of the person who saved THEM who, among other things, might be the only treating Lyme dr for hundreds of miles. I hope I live to see the day when this is a non-issue.
My friend and his parents allowed him to just END his life because doctors here in
Canada are so dumb!!!!