Beyond Mind Over Matter: How Infections and Inflammation are Shaping Our Understanding of Mental Health

At the age of 12, Jessica Huitson started experiencing tics. Her condition worsened over time, leading to whole-body fits and emergency hospital visits. However, the medical professionals at her local hospital in Durham, England dismissed her symptoms as anxiety, claiming that they were caused by excessive TikTok use. This upset Jessica’s mother deeply, as she felt that her daughter’s symptoms were being belittled.

It wasn’t until later that it was discovered that Jessica was actually suffering from an autoimmune condition caused by a Streptococcus infection, known as PANDAS. Once the infection was identified and treated, her symptoms began to improve. Unfortunately, Jessica’s experience is not unique. Many individuals with brain-related conditions are often misdiagnosed as having mental health issues. Research shows that infections can sometimes trigger conditions such as OCD, tics, anxiety, depression, and even psychosis. In addition to infections, inflammatory disorders and metabolic conditions are also being recognized as having significant impacts on mental health. However, psychiatrists do not typically consider these factors when diagnosing mental health issues.

This highlights larger issues within the field of psychiatry, as many underlying causes of mental health issues are often overlooked or misinterpreted. It is crucial for medical professionals to take a more holistic approach when diagnosing and treating mental health conditions to ensure that individuals receive accurate and effective care.

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