Iride Piechocki, PsyD, NCSP

11/14/2025

Lyme

https://www.lymedisease.org/child-psychiatric-symptoms/?fbclid=IwZnRzaAOEWwtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeHR1E0Ao_i4iIivUipfHVdo30dFNOr7kVs0VcWVyqq1f4g0x3s4cHnBy1ouk_aem_MlJOCKJcc2x0GYXdohW7jw

In the Lyme world, these stories surface again and again. A child who was thriving suddenly shifts—mood swings, anxiety, trouble focusing, even

10/06/2025

Dysgraphia

08/17/2025

Harvard Medical School scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery linking lithium to Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Their research found that lithium levels are significantly lower even in the earliest stages of memory loss. Amyloid-beta plaques, known to cause Alzheimer’s, bind to lithium in the brain, reducing its availability and speeding up the disease’s progression.

This study marks the first time lithium, widely used in psychiatric medicine, has been shown to naturally exist in the brain at important biological levels. In mouse models, lithium depletion caused a rapid buildup of harmful amyloid-beta and tau proteins, increased brain inflammation, and worsened cognitive decline.

The breakthrough came when researchers used lithium orotate, a form of lithium that avoids binding with amyloid-beta plaques. At very low doses, lithium orotate reversed memory loss and other Alzheimer’s-like symptoms in mice without any toxicity. While human trials are still needed, this discovery opens the door to lithium testing as a way to identify people at risk and the potential for targeted lithium supplementation to prevent or even restore cognitive function in dementia patients.

This exciting development could transform the future of Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention, offering new hope to millions worldwide.

07/22/2025

Microbes and mental health!
All sorts of tick borne illness can cause mental health challenges!

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10779437/

03/18/2025

Important info!

02/13/2025

An oldie but goodie!
Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.

Artificial colours or a sodium benzoate preservative (or both) in the diet result in increased hyperactivity in 3-year-old and 8/9-year-old children in the general population.

01/14/2024

We have long known that germs cause illness. But we are really only beginning to understand that these same microbes are triggers for neuropsychiatric illnesses, for depression, anxiety, OCD and tics.

This article reviews the association of microbes and mental illness, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, aggression, anxiety, and depression. Many specific microbes are discussed including Aspergillus, Babesia, Bartonella, Borna disease virus, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Candida, Chlamydia, _c_oronaviruses (e.g., SARS-CoV-2), Cryptococcus neoformans, cytomegalovirus, enteroviruses, Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis C, herpes simplex virus, human endogenous retroviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, influenza viruses, measles virus, Mycoplasma, Plasmodium, rubella virus, Group A Streptococcus (PANDAS), Taenia solium, Toxoplasma gondii, Treponema pallidum (syphilis), Trypanosoma, and West Nile virus.

As clinicians, researchers, and parents, we need to recognize and treat these diseases appropriately to help our children heal. More interdisciplinary research, education, and treatment options may prevent and reduce mental illness morbidity, disability, and mortality.

Bransfield RC, Mao C, Greenberg R. Microbes and Mental Illness: Past, Present, and Future. Healthcare. 2024; 12(1):83. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12010083

10/12/2023

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/997236

A running therapy program rivals antidepressants in treatment of depression and anxiety, research suggests. Running showed greater physical health benefits while adherence is better with medication.

10/10/2023

Two Page Handout on PANS PANDAS. Share directly from this page or download it to email or print.

09/20/2023

While I tend to focus on things that might impact behavior and mental health, we know that food dyes impact so much more. Here is the latest in our favorite Red dye # 40

Zhang, Chumanevich, Nguyen, … Hofseth. Toxocology Reports. (11) 221-232 We have long suggested that Red 40 (Allura Red) plays a role in behavioral problems, but here is another angle: it app…