Family: Lyme disease led to psychological problem before man went missing

SHERBORN, Mass. — It had been more than three days since Alex Barberio went missing, but just after 9 p.m. Tuesday he was found safely in Worcester.

The 20-year-old from Sherborn was last seen Saturday morning, but a friend found him walking alone.

“We found him missing when we got up. Found a note in his room. He was going to give all of his possessions to charity and church. Didn't say where he was going,” Michael Barberio, Alex’s father, said.

Alex’s family says two months ago, in June, he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

“He came back strongly positive for 2 of the markers, which indicate that he had it for a long time. We think he may have had it for years,” Michael said.

Dad says, the disease has taken over his mental state of mind.

“If it does affect the brain, it creates any type of psychological problem. It's an imitator of several different problems. His symptoms were getting worse,” he said.

Doctors say that neurological Lyme disease can cause schizophrenia.

“It looked like early schizophrenia or something like that, which is one of the symptoms,” Michael said.

Alex is supposed to start college in Worcester on Thursday, where he wants to be a computer programmer. He was also supposed to start a new antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease on Monday. For now, he is in the hospital receiving treatment.

Cox Media Group