Differential Diagnosis

Burnout and depression should be assessed in parallel because they overlap and may coexist. Delirium causes can range from reversible medication effects to serious new pathology. Boredom can be mistaken for burnout when complex work prevents meaning-making and engagement. Babesia-related sweating can be misattributed to anxiety or perimenopausal hot flashes. Babesia-related air hunger can be misattributed to asthma or anxiety-driven hyperventilation. A sudden mental status change can signal a new or worsening medical issue. Anxiety or depression beginning after tick exposure may be overlooked as infectious in origin. Anemia may be evaluated without testing for a parasitic cause. Possible causes of delirium include hospital-acquired infection, urinary infection, worsening dehydration, medication side effects, and less commonly stroke. Establishing the timing of symptoms after possible tick exposure helps raise Babesia in the differential diagnosis.