Lyme disease, often mis-diagnosed, has taken a new very public victim. Justin Bieber speaks about his Lyme disease diagnosis in his new YouTube documentary.
Superstar, Justin Bieber, recently announced his very private battle with debilitating chronic anxiety, Epstein-Barr, and Lyme disease ahead of his new docuseries on YouTube. Leading a public life and being on tour brought his overall health and well-being to a halt, leading to the remainder of his last tour being completely canceled. All this prefaced him seeking medical help, and led to the eventual positive diagnosis. Justin says that he is, “battling and OVERCOMING.”
Lyme disease is often mis-diagnosed
Lyme symptoms are vast and varied! They are not the same for every person, and can be very different in children and adults. If a person is bitten, and contracts Lyme, the bullseye rash is not always present. Without the telltale rash, many victims of Lyme don’t even realize they have been bitten by an infected tick. All the while, the Lyme bacteria are spreading throughout the nervous system, joints, and even the heart. They might be asymptomatic for a very long time, or might present Lyme symptoms that mimic other diseases, such as arthritis and mental illness. Joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, and major behavioral changes are just a few of the vague symptoms of Lyme. Delayed treatment results in a lifelong battle for many. Treatment can also become a lifelong battle for those, who are diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease.
More information: Lyme Disease Treatment
Like many sufferers of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, Justin has been harshly criticized for his appearance and mental state. This stigma causes many undiagnosed Lyme victims to suffer in silence. They are often doubted and ridiculed by family, friends, and even their doctors. “It’s all in your head,” is actually a fair statement in regards to Lyme. It can be “in your head” – meaning that chronic Lyme can most definitely present in extreme mood swings. Aided by the frustration of alienation before receiving proper medical care and a clear diagnosis, these behavioral symptoms can compound. Many PTLDS sufferers admit to having been suicidal – this is especially true in teens.
With the prevalence of ticks in Massachusetts, it is imperative that you protect your family from the threat of Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses with year-round tick control and protection.