Can Lyme Disease Cause Seizures? When Episodes Are Dismissed as Stress
Some children with Lyme disease develop seizure-like episodes even when EEGs and brain scans appear normal.
These neurologic symptoms may be mistaken for anxiety, stress, or functional seizures.
In certain cases, Lyme disease or a tick-borne coinfection may be contributing to nervous system dysfunction.
Can Lyme disease cause seizures or seizure-like episodes? In some children, Lyme disease and tick-borne coinfections may trigger neurologic symptoms that resemble seizures—even when routine testing appears normal.
Lyme disease seizures are not always classic epileptic seizures. Some children experience episodes involving staring, shaking, dizziness, confusion, or loss of awareness without abnormal EEG findings.
These symptoms may occur in patients with neurologic Lyme disease, where infection and inflammation affect the nervous system.
When Symptoms Are Dismissed
This is one of the most emotional stories parents describe.
A child who was once energetic and thriving suddenly develops:
- Fatigue
- Brain fog
- Dizziness
- Light sensitivity
- Seizure-like episodes
Yet testing may appear normal:
Brain MRI? Normal.
EEG? Clear.
“We were told they were functional seizures—just stress-related. No one believed our child was in pain.”
In some cases, Lyme disease or a tick-borne coinfection may be the missing piece.
What Are Functional Seizures?
Functional seizures—also called psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES)—can resemble epileptic seizures but do not show abnormal electrical activity on EEG.
They are often attributed to psychological stress or trauma.
But an important clinical question remains:
What if an infection is affecting the nervous system rather than the symptoms being “just stress”?
Some children with tick-borne illness experience seizure-like episodes that improve with treatment.
What the Research Shows
In a 1998 study led by Bloom and colleagues, five children with Lyme disease were followed over time.
Two children experienced seizure-like episodes despite normal EEGs and MRIs. After antibiotic treatment, both improved.
A review by Fallon and colleagues found that Lyme disease can mimic seizures, anxiety, and other neurologic conditions—even when imaging appears normal.
These findings support what many families already suspect: symptoms may be real even when routine neurologic tests are unrevealing.
How Lyme Disease Can Affect the Brain
Lyme disease may affect the central nervous system—a condition referred to as neuroborreliosis.
In children, neurologic symptoms may include:
- Seizure-like episodes
- Dizziness or fainting
- Brain fog and slowed thinking
- Mood changes
- Sensory sensitivities
- Sleep disruption
When standard testing appears normal, symptoms may be misdiagnosed as:
- Anxiety or panic disorder
- ADHD
- Functional neurologic disorder
Lyme disease and coinfections such as Babesia or Bartonella may produce neurologic symptoms that routine testing does not fully detect.
A Real-Life Case
A 12-year-old patient developed:
- Seizure-like episodes
- Dizziness
- Brain fog
- Light sensitivity
- Severe fatigue
Her MRI and EEG were normal. She was diagnosed with functional seizures.
But her history included a camping trip.
Testing later revealed Lyme disease and Babesia.
After treatment:
- The episodes stopped
- Her thinking improved
- Her energy returned
“She laughed like herself again.”
What Parents Should Know
- Unexplained seizure-like episodes deserve careful evaluation
- Normal EEG results do not rule out neurologic Lyme disease
- Tick-borne illness should be considered when symptoms remain unexplained
- Careful history-taking—including outdoor exposure—can be important
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lyme disease cause seizures in children?
In some cases, Lyme disease may cause seizure-like episodes or neurologic symptoms that resemble seizures.
Can EEGs be normal in neurologic Lyme disease?
Yes. Some children with neurologic Lyme disease have normal EEGs and MRIs despite significant symptoms.
What are functional seizures?
Functional seizures resemble epileptic seizures but do not show abnormal electrical activity on EEG testing.
Can Lyme disease mimic anxiety or ADHD?
Yes. Neurologic Lyme disease may cause symptoms involving attention, mood, cognition, and nervous system regulation.
Clinical Takeaway
Lyme disease can present with seizure-like episodes—particularly in children with neurologic involvement.
When neurologic symptoms occur without a clear explanation, Lyme disease and coinfections should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.
Early recognition and careful clinical evaluation may lead to meaningful improvement.
Related Articles
- Neurologic Lyme Disease
- Brain Fog in Lyme Disease
- Babesia and Lyme Disease
- Delayed Lyme Disease Diagnosis
References
- Bloom BJ, Wyckoff PM, Meissner HC, Steere AC. Neurocognitive abnormalities in children after classic manifestations of Lyme disease. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1998;17(3):189-196.
- Fallon BA, Nields JA. Lyme disease: a neuropsychiatric illness. Am J Psychiatry. 1994;151(11):1571-1583.
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
I had an “episode” last year where I felt like I was having a stroke. Not sure how else to describe it. Felt like something very bad was about to happen and all I could do was focus on my breathing. Luckily I had texted me husband just before I nearly passed out. Never did faint but had to lay down on the floor as I thought I might. Then lost all ability to talk, walk, move my arms and legs. Couldn’t communicate. Looking back probably should have called an ambulance. About 20 minutes later I was fine. But definitely shook up. Everyone said it was a panic attack but I don’t think so… maybe it was Lyme?
There are some causes of seizures to consider. There are also other issues including a vaso-vagal reflex
Have you only had one episode like this, or repeated episodes?
I have Lyme diseas patients with repeated seizures with an abnormal EEG. you can read more on one of my blogs
I have had a broad spectrum of symptoms since 2020. I initially had a rapid increase in ossteoarthritis which began as PTTD and resulted in a triple arthrodesis surgery which failed and had to be repeated. My surgeon at that time recommended me seeing a Rhematologist and was diagnosed with sero-negative rheumatoid arthritis. Following, I began to have tinnitus of the left ear only which my ENT at the time referred me for an MRI to look for a certain type of cancer. Did not find this, but was diagnosed with a pontine lesion. Began to note increased brain fog and increased problems with word finding and overall STM. Then began to have “seizure-like” activity which has progressively become worse in nature with increased flexor tone and “freezing”. Had 2 EEG’s and diagnosed with FND. Went through a year of behavioral therapy and completed numerous blood labs. One of which was for Lyme disease. This was initially found negative, then my Rheumatologist ran a second testing and was diagnosed with chronic Lyme. All of this has progressed over 5 year span and never remember a tick bite, however remember a bad reaction to what I thought was a spider bite pre Covid time. Didn’t think much of it at the time as it resolved. My Rheumatologist continues to follow me for the Lyme and have not
I have patients who rack up a number of diagnoses before being diagnoses. BTW Lyme disease was initially called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis by some rheumatologists even if the rheumatologic tests were negative
My son had lyme carditis 3 years ago. Treated with iv doxy for 4 days in the icu and then did 21 days oral doxy. I do not believe he was ever retested to make sure it was gone or tested for coinfections. He seemed fine besides some depression for 3 years and then starting in March 2025 he developed tics, then functional seizures and brain fog, then blackouts and then occasional paralysis. He never had an mri or blood test but did have an overnight eeg and was diagnosed with FND/PNES. Sometimes it seems like they are brought on by mood, but others out just comes out of nowhere. He has purple striae all over his torso and I thought it was just stretch marks due to rapid growth but they just keep appearing and I wonder if it is Bartonella. I asked his infectious disease Dr. to test for Lyme but he’s kind of putting me off. I can’t afford a functional doctor that isn’t covered by insurance. I don’t know what to do.