Justin Bieber: Lyme Disease Battle and Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Justin Bieber: Lyme Disease Battle and Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Justin Bieber Lyme Disease
Picture of Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge

NBC News Radio, Sara Lee Kessler 

Lyme Disease Battle 

When popstar Justin Bieber revealed that he was diagnosed with Lyme disease, many were shocked. Lyme disease is not often associated with young, vibrant celebrities, but his announcement brought much-needed attention to this often misunderstood and so far incurable disease. Bieber shared that it took him two years to get a correct diagnosis—a situation that is, unfortunately, not uncommon.

Lyme disease can be tricky to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with many other conditions. I was invited by NBC Radio to talk about Lyme Disease, and to put it simply,  “It can get inside the brain and it can get inside different organs. About 20% of cardiac patients actually have a tick-borne infection, and you can have everything from depression to psychosis to anxiety to sudden onset of OCD or rage. 

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, specifically the black-legged tick. Early symptoms include fever, chills, body aches, swollen glands, swollen lymph nodes, and often, a red bullseye rash. However, this rash doesn’t appear in every case, which is why many people don’t realize they’ve been bitten by a tick until their symptoms worsen.

One hallmark symptom is erythema migrans (EM), a distinctive red bullseye-shaped rash that develops in approximately 70-80% of cases. This rash typically appears 3 to 30 days after the tick bite and may expand over time. However, not everyone with Lyme disease develops this rash, which can make diagnosis more challenging.

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States, with an estimated 476,000 new cases annually based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The disease is most prevalent in the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, and Upper Midwest regions, though cases are also reported in the Pacific Northwest and other areas.

Stages of Lyme Disease From Infection to Chronic Symptoms

The Dangers of Delayed Diagnosis

 

Sara Lee Kessler of 77 WABC News points out that Lyme disease symptoms often include a red bullseye rash, fever, chills, body aches, swollen glands, and neck stiffness. While these symptoms are commonly associated with the disease, they don’t always appear in every patient, and not everyone gets the tell-tale rash. This leads to a delay in diagnosis and, consequently, treatment.

Justin Bieber’s Lyme disease battle shines a light on the importance of awareness and early intervention. For two years, Bieber endured symptoms without answers, a situation that could have been prevented with quicker testing and recognition of Lyme disease. His openness has sparked conversations about the challenges of diagnosing and treating this elusive illness.

I believe that Bieber’s story will help other patients push for the right testing and treatment. Too many people are being misdiagnosed or left untreated because Lyme disease is such a complex condition. We need to educate both the public and medical professionals about its full spectrum of symptoms.

Treatment and Recovery: Why Timing Is Everything

The Mayo Clinic states that when Lyme disease is caught early and treated with the right treatment, patients generally make a full recovery. Diagnosis may require a blood test, which is noted as not always being reliable. This underscores the importance of awareness and prompt treatment. Lyme disease remains a so far incurable disease, posing ongoing challenges for those affected.

However, for those like Bieber, who went undiagnosed for years, recovery can be more complex. Long-term symptoms, often referred to as “chronic Lyme,” can persist even after antibiotic treatment. These can include joint pain, cognitive difficulties, and emotional instability.

You can have everything from depression to psychosis to anxiety to the sudden onset of OCD or rage. The neurological and psychiatric effects of Lyme disease are often overlooked, but they can be just as debilitating as the physical symptoms. In fact, for some patients, mental health symptoms may be the first sign that something is wrong.

Untreated Lyme disease can lead to mood disorders, cognitive difficulties, and changes in behavior. Many patients report feelings of intense anxiety or even personality shifts, which can make it difficult for both the patient and their loved ones to understand what’s happening.

Early vs Late Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease: More Than Just Battling Lyme Disease

While Lyme is primarily a physical illness, the psychological toll cannot be understated. It’s not just about physical symptoms like joint pain and fatigue. We see people with depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline due to the neurological impact of Lyme, affecting brain function. It’s very much a mental health issue too. Justin Bieber’s struggle with chronic mono further compounded his health issues, impacting his skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.

This is where the real challenge lies for many Lyme patients. Chronic Lyme can lead to mood disorders, memory issues, and even changes in personality. For someone like Bieber, living in the public eye while dealing with these symptoms must have been a daunting task.

The Path Forward: Spreading Awareness

Justin Bieber’s openness about his battle with Lyme disease has undoubtedly shed light on the importance of awareness, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. His story is a reminder that Lyme disease doesn’t discriminate—it can affect anyone, regardless of lifestyle or status. His family has been a strong supporter throughout his journey, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and awareness.

For parents and individuals in Lyme-prone areas, being proactive is key. Recognizing the signs, getting tested early, and advocating for proper medical attention can make all the difference. I always emphasize that we have to push for better testing and more comprehensive care for Lyme disease patients. Too many people are slipping through the cracks, just like Justin did. Justin Bieber has also used Instagram Stories to raise awareness, reaching out to his vast audience to educate them about the disease.

In the meantime, Justin’s recovery journey is a source of inspiration to the millions who suffer from Lyme disease, offering hope that with persistence and the right care, better days are ahead.

Natural-PANSPANDAS-Calm-Brain-Kit

Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert in Neurodivergence who is frequently in the media:

Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.

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Dr. Roseann is a Children’s Mental Health Expert and Licensed Therapist who has been featured in/on hundreds of media outlets including The Mel Robbins Show, CBS, NBC, PIX11 NYC, Today, FORBES, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Women’s Day, Healthline, CNET, Parade Magazine and PARENTS. FORBES called her, “A thought leader in children’s mental health.

Dr. Roseann - Brain Behavior Reset Parent Toolkit

She coined the terms, “Re-entry panic syndrome” and “eco-anxiety” and is a frequent contributor to media on mental health. 

Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge has three decades of experience in working with children, teens and their families with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, concussion, dyslexia and learning disability, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), depression and mood disorder, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS using science-backed natural mental health solutions such as supplements, magnesium, nutrition, QEEG Brain maps, neurofeedback, PEMF, psychotherapy and other non-medication approaches. 

She is the author of three bestselling books, It’s Gonna Be OK!: Proven Ways to Improve Your Child's Mental Health, The Teletherapy Toolkit, and Brain Under Attack. Dr. Roseann is known for offering a message of hope through science-endorsed methods that promote a calm brain. 

Her trademarked BrainBehaviorResetⓇ Program and It’s Gonna be OK!Ⓡ Podcast has been a cornerstone for thousands of parents facing mental health, behavioral or neurodevelopmental challenges.

She is the founder and director of The Global Institute of Children’s Mental Health, Neurotastic™Brain Formulas and Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC. Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner, a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) and an Amen Clinic Certified Brain Health Coach.  She is also a member of The International Lyme Disease and Associated Disease Society (ILADS), The American Psychological Association (APA), Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).

© Roseann-Capanna-Hodge, LLC 2024

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.

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