Bed bugs are far more than just a nuisance pest; they are a major public health concern with far-reaching psychological effects that are often ignored by both healthcare providers and the general public. These tiny parasites don’t spread diseases, but they can have a huge impact on mental health, affecting victims in ways that go beyond the physical discomfort of their bites.
The Hidden Mental Health Crisis
Bed bug infestations can have a lot of negative effects on mental health that are similar to the effects of serious mental illnesses. People dealing with bed bug attacks frequently have nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, insomnia, anxiety, avoidance behaviours, and personal dysfunction. These are all symptoms that are very similar to those of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A study of online accounts of bed bug victims found that 81% of those affected said their infestations had psychological effects on them, with one person actually meeting the clinical criteria for PTSD.
The mental health impacts go beyond anxiety and trouble sleeping. Bed bugs may also affect the mental health of people living in infested homes. Some of the more commonly reported effects are anxiety, insomnia and systemic reactions. These psychological effects can be so bad that they make people much less productive at work and lower their quality of life. In some extreme cases, they can even make people want to kill themselves and need to be hospitalised.
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/21750/cdc_21750_DS1.pdf
Complex Relationships with Existing Mental Health Conditions
People who already have mental health problems have a harder time understanding how bed bug infestations affect their mental health. Research done in emergency departments show that bed bug infested patients were far more likely to have diagnoses of alcohol abuse and psychosis than patients without bed bugs. Interestingly enough, they were not more likely to be diagnosed with depression or suicidal thoughts. This suggests that bed bugs might make some mental health problems worse while hiding others.
The stress of dealing with an infestation can make existing substance abuse disorders worse or even bring them to light because people might turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. Also, poor and mentally ill people may face challenges in getting rid of infestations because of their lack of money and social support. This creates a vicious cycle in which mental health problems both cause and are caused by ongoing bed bug problems.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8198719
The Trauma of Hypervigilance and Sleep Disruption
One of the worst things about bed bug infestations is the development of hypervigilance—a state of heightened alertness aimed at preventing further attacks. This constant state of alertness, along with the fear of reinfestation, can lead to bad behaviors including adopting unreasonable precautions to prevent reinfestation and even more social isolation. Many travelers say they feel phantom itches when bedbug outbreaks make news, which shows how the fear of these pests can trigger psychological responses.
Sleep disruption is another important part of the psychological impact of bed bugs. Knowing that bed bugs are most active at night, when people are most vulnerable, makes people feel like their safe space has been violated. This often causes long-term insomnia, not just because of the physical discomfort of the bites, but also because of the fear of being attacked while sleeping so you are unable to defend yourself.
Socioeconomic Factors and Vulnerability
The psychological effects of bed bug infestations are often made worse by socioeconomic factors that create additional stress and feelings of helplessness. People with lower incomes are especially at risk because they often lack the money needed to hire professional pest control services, which are usually necessary to successfully get rid of bed bugs. This reality can make feelings of powerlessness and despair even worse, as people watch their living situations get worse while being unable to afford proper treatment.
The shame that comes with having a bed bug infestation also adds to a person’s mental stress. Unlike other pests, bed bugs carry a social stigma that can make people feel ashamed, embarrassed, and socially withdrawn. The social shaming around bed bugs is particularly harmful because infestations can happen in any environment, regardless of cleanliness or a person’s socioeconomic status.
The Need for Comprehensive Care
Healthcare providers need to understand that bed bug infestations are a real public health issue that needs to be addressed by looking at both physical and psychological symptoms. People who experience bed bug bites and develop moderate-to-severe negative emotional symptoms should be identified by health professionals to make sure they receive appropriate mental health care. This recognition is very important because the psychological effects can last long after the infestation is gone.
People who have bed bugs should not downplay or dismiss the trauma that comes with it. The psychological effects are real and can have a huge impact on your quality of life, work performance, and overall mental health. By acknowledging and addressing these mental health effects, healthcare providers can better care that addresses the full scope of harm caused by these persistent pests.
https://u.osu.edu/bedbugs/research-refs/health/mental-health-effects/
