Lindsey Keys, filmmaker and advocate, contributes her insight about living with a chronic illness, how our physical and mental health are connected, what the “quiet epidemic” is, and more!
During college, Lindsey’s life began unraveling resulting from chronic Lyme and tick-borne disease. At age 26, unable to operate resulting from her failing health, she had to maneuver home to upstate New York. Through a likelihood encounter at a neighborhood doctor’s office, she connected with one other filmmaker in the identical situation. Together, they co-directed a feature documentary exposé on Lyme’s disease, The Quiet Epidemic. The film was the official collection of greater than 20 film festivals (including Hot Docs Int’l Film Festival, DOC NYC, Hamptons Int’l Film Festival, Woodstock Film Festival), garnered positive press and reviews (Variety, PBS, WNYC, KPCC FilmWeek), and had a limited theatrical run across North America. You can now watch The Quiet Epidemic at home.
Lindsey now co-leads The Quiet Epidemic’s impact campaign—their current focus is bringing the film to Congress, international audiences and medical schools. She also hosts a virtual writing group called Pressure Release, and she or he supports people birthing creative projects of their very own.
Chronic Lyme disease remains to be not recognized by many doctors, though many individuals across the globe are suffering, which is why Lindsey refers to it because the “quiet epidemic”. It comes from the bacteria from certain tick bites, and can lead to a wide selection of short and long run mental and physical health issues, including arthritis-like symptoms, migratory joint pain, various neurological symptoms, severe headaches, mood swings, mental fogginess, and depression, although these symptoms will look different for various people.
Unfortunately, as chronic Lyme isn’t recognized by our current medical system, its treatment isn’t covered by insurance, and might cost people 1000’s of dollars. It can be incredibly difficult to seek out a health care provider that understands or treats Lyme disease, which is the important thing to managing the various infections that may come from this chronic illness.
Lindsey was lucky enough to seek out a medical skilled that might help her manage and treat her symptoms, but many people who find themselves suffering should not so fortunate, which is why she made her film The Quiet Epidemic. She desired to help spread awareness of what chronic Lyme disease is, how people suffer, and what needs to vary in order that people who find themselves struggling mentally and physically can find the assistance they need.
If higher healthcare for Lyme disease is made available, this will help people manage and heal this illness. Treatments can include antibiotics, herbal treatments like tinctures, exercises like yoga, and dietary changes. Of course, these sorts of treatments will work in another way for various people, so it’s best to check with an informed medical skilled for those who feel you might be battling with chronic Lyme.
For more on coping with the mental and physical effects of Lyme, take heed to my podcast with Lindsey (episode #579) and take a look at her incredible work. If you enjoy listening to my podcast, please consider leaving a 5-star review and subscribing. And keep sharing episodes with family and friends and on social media. (Don’t forget to tag me so I can see your posts!).
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/KatarzynaBialasiewicz
Originally published by Dr. Caroline Leaf. Used with permission.
