Published on 25 May, 2023

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, has become an increasingly prevalent health concern in recent years. As its impact grows, so does the need for raising awareness and understanding of this debilitating condition. 

As we near the end of May, Lyme Disease Awareness Month, we’d like to highlight the work of many wonderful people who have dedicated their time to educate about this often life altering illness.

Films can serve as a powerful medium to educate, inform, and inspire empathy among viewers. In this blog, we will delve into a collection of compelling Lyme disease films and provide links to their trailers, offering you a glimpse into these thought-provoking narratives.

1.“Under Our Skin” (2008):

Directed by Andy Abrahams Wilson, “Under Our Skin” takes an in-depth look at the hidden epidemic of Lyme disease and the challenges faced by patients and medical professionals in diagnosing and treating it. The film highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding this illness, shedding light on the struggles faced by individuals living with chronic Lyme disease. Watch the trailer/film here.

2. “Lymelife” (2009):

Set in late-seventies Long Island, Lymelife follows two families who crumble when tangled relationships, real estate problems and Lyme disease converge in the heart of suburbia. Fifteen-year-old Scott Bartlett is a gentle boy, radically different from his blustery father Mickey and tightly wired mother Brenda. An outbreak of Lyme disease, as well as the accompanying paranoia, hits their suburban community hard. Watch the trailer/film here. 

3. “Invisibly ILL – A Stealth Reality” (2013):

Would you like to know more about idiopathic conditions? Would you like to broaden your horizons and find a new understanding on some of the grey areas associated in chronic pain, auto immunity and mental health? Do you know someone that may also be interested? If you have answered yes to any of these then please continue reading!! Invisibly Ill: Part One – A Stealth Reality explores the concept of “stealth infections” and the causal role they play in neurodegenerative disease, neurobehavioural and chronic fatiguing illnesses. Watch the trailer/film here. 

4. “Lyme Disease the Musical”:

In this new musical dark comedy, an optimistic young woman is stricken by a mysterious illness. With her feisty best friend and her loyal cat by her side, she navigates unsympathetic doctors, disbelieving friends, and her own depression as she fights to recover both her health and sense of hope. Meanwhile, inside her bloodstream, two star-crossed Lyme disease bacteria fall in love at first sight. Alas, their love is doomed – because antibiotics are coming to kill them.  Watch the trailer/film here. 

5. “The Quiet Epidemic”: 

According to a new CDC estimate, 476,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease yearly in the United States alone. Even with prompt treatment, 10-20% of people go on to suffer long-term, debilitating symptoms. An unknown number of people remain undiagnosed and untreated for years, decades or even a lifetime. Without an accurate diagnostic test, the true scale of this epidemic remains unknown.
We envision a world in which Chronic Lyme disease is recognized, the interests of patients are prioritized, and accurate diagnostics and treatments are accessible.
The Quiet Epidemic is not just a movie, it’s a movement. Change is on the horizon and you can be a part of it.  Watch the trailer/film here.

6. “Your Labs Are Normal”: 

Your Labs Are Normal is a powerful autobiographical short film highlighting one woman’s struggle with chronic Lyme disease, a widely misunderstood and politicized illness that affects thousands of people every year.  When Rhisa, an otherwise healthy woman in her 20s, falls ill with debilitating headaches, fatigue, and chronic pain, she and her loved ones search New York for a diagnosis. Even as Rhisa’s health deteriorates, doctors insist that her lab tests don’t indicate illness. Wracked with pain and dismissed by healthcare professionals, she falls into despair until a chance encounter with a nurse finally gives Rhisa her answer: for years, she’s been suffering from undiagnosed Lyme disease.   Watch the trailer/film here.

7. “Morgellons Disease Documentary SKIN DEEP” (a condition that can be comorbid with Lyme disease):

A nurse squares off against a dermatologist as they fight to discover the truth behind Morgellons, a disease whose bizarre symptoms include fibers growing out of victims’ skin. The battle heats up when the medical industry declares the patients’ symptoms to be nothing more than products of delusional minds. Now, as evidence linking Morgellons to Lyme disease mounts, the question becomes “Who is delusional, the patients who believe or the doctors who deny?” Watch the trailer/film here.

8. Under Our Skin: Emergence” (2015): 

This highly-anticipated sequel investigates the deepening Lyme disease crisis and follows its casualties and controversies. As the Lyme epidemic explodes globally, scandalous medical collusions and conflicts of interest incriminate the very healthcare systems meant to protect us. Despite the obstacles that researchers, physicians, and patients continue to face, promising new findings are emerging. And when we revisit the unforgettable characters from UNDER OUR SKIN, we see that they have moved from horror to hope, arriving at better health, and reclaiming their lives. Watch the trailer/film here.

9. “The Monster Inside Me” (2022): 

A documentary that follows a couple who bravely turn the camera on themselves to reveal an intimate and ground-breaking perspective on Lyme Disease. They take the viewer on an emotional journey researching the truth, lies and healing behind our modern era’s most misunderstood chronic illness and controversial pandemic, affecting more than 150 million people worldwide. Watch the trailer/film here. 

10. I’m Not Crazy, I’m Sick” (2023): 

Lyme disease patients often feel lonely and isolated in their journey, with many not receiving the proper support they need. This documentary aims to combat this, by shining a light on the lives of three families who have all been affected by Lyme disease. Share this trailer to raise awareness for Lyme disease, Lyme patients, and this documentary — coming May 30! Watch the trailer/film here.

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The camera has the power to bring stories to life, evoke emotions, and raise awareness about various issues, including Lyme disease. The films mentioned above offer diverse perspectives, personal narratives, and thought-provoking insights into the challenges faced by individuals living with this complex illness. By exploring these stories and watching their trailers, we can deepen our understanding of Lyme disease, foster empathy, and support those affected by it. Together, let us strive to create a more informed and compassionate society.

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