Table of Contents
Is depression a symptom of long COVID?
Being unwell can have an impact on your mental health. It’s not unusual to experience lower mood after being through a significant event such as coronavirus (COVID-19). It can take a while to process what you’ve been through and the impact this has had and may still be having on your life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, you may experience stress, anxiety, fear, sadness and loneliness. And mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, can worsen. A stressful event like having coronavirus (COVID-19) or experiencing a stay in hospital can cause anxiety. This can be particularly true if you’ve had a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU), which can be a very traumatic experience. You may also experience nightmares and/or flashbacks of your time in ICU. The evidence around long COVID’s impact on mental health A study of 236,379 adults, monitored for six months after receiving a COVID-19 diagnosis, has shown that 24% had experienced a mood, anxiety or psychotic disorder. This was the first diagnosis of such a disorder in 8.6% of patients. The devastating long-term effects of COVID-19 don’t end there. New research published in Nature Medicine found that brain and neurological disorders — including stroke, migraine, and depression and anxiety — occurred 7% more often in people who had COVID-19 compared to those who were never infected. Trauma and the COVID Pandemic In addition, patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 experience social isolation, physical discomfort, and fear for survival. These exposures increase the risk of developing PTSD.
Is depression part of long COVID?
Being unwell can have an impact on your mental health. It’s not unusual to experience lower mood after being through a significant event such as coronavirus (COVID-19). It can take a while to process what you’ve been through and the impact this has had and may still be having on your life. Unpleasant feelings If you are recovering from COVID-19, you may have a range of emotions. These may include feeling depressed (low), tired, anxious or tearful. Your sleep may be disrupted or you may have distressing memories of your experience. Untreated clinical depression is a serious problem. Untreated depression increases the chance of risky behaviors such as drug or alcohol addiction. It also can ruin relationships, cause problems at work, and make it difficult to overcome serious illnesses. Some people, especially those who had severe COVID-19, experience multiorgan effects or autoimmune conditions with symptoms lasting weeks, months, or even years after COVID-19 illness. Multi-organ effects can involve many body systems, including the heart, lung, kidney, skin, and brain.
Is psychological distress linked to long COVID?
Long COVID was 32% more likely among those who had symptoms of depression, 42% more likely among those with symptoms of anxiety, 37% more likely among those who were worried about COVID-19, 46% more likely among those who felt stressed, and 32% more likely among those who felt lonely. A substantial percentage of patients with confirmed COVID-19 and persistent complaints reported symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, or depression 3 and 6 months after the onset of COVID-19–related symptoms. A great number of people have reported psychological distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress. And there have been worrying signs of more widespread suicidal thoughts and behaviours, including among health care workers. Some groups of people have been affected much more than others. As of January 16, 2023, 15% of all adults in the US reported having had long COVID symptoms at some point and 6% reported current symptoms. Among those who have ever had long COVID, over half are no longer reporting symptoms. This previous 2021 study did not explore any relationship with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A recent analysis of 1112 subjects experiencing probable COVID-19 symptoms suggested a positive association between COVID-19 and anxiety/depression symptoms 1-7 months after suggested infection (OR 1.31 – 1.47)23.
Can COVID-19 cause depression and anxiety?
This previous 2021 study did not explore any relationship with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A recent analysis of 1112 subjects experiencing probable COVID-19 symptoms suggested a positive association between COVID-19 and anxiety/depression symptoms 1-7 months after suggested infection (OR 1.31 – 1.47)23. Researchers supported by NIH have discovered that COVID-19 can cause long-lasting inflammation in the brain that may be the source of many Long COVID symptoms. A stressful event like having coronavirus (COVID-19) or experiencing a stay in hospital can cause anxiety. This can be particularly true if you’ve had a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU), which can be a very traumatic experience. You may also experience nightmares and/or flashbacks of your time in ICU. Long COVID is defined as symptoms that cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis and last at least two months following an initial COVID-19 infection. It is usually after three months (12 weeks) of persistent symptoms when a patient is suspected of having long COVID. The most frequent neuropsychiatric symptom was sleep disturbance [pooled prevalence = 27.4% (95% CI 21.4–34.4%)], followed by fatigue [24.4% (17.5–32.9%)], objectively measured cognitive impairment [20.2% (10.3–35.7%)], anxiety [19.1% (13.3–26.8%)] and post-traumatic stress [15.7% (9.9–24.1%)] (Figs 2–4 and Table 2). The most frequent neuropsychiatric symptom was sleep disturbance [pooled prevalence = 27.4% (95% CI 21.4–34.4%)], followed by fatigue [24.4% (17.5–32.9%)], objectively measured cognitive impairment [20.2% (10.3–35.7%)], anxiety [19.1% (13.3–26.8%)] and post-traumatic stress [15.7% (9.9–24.1%)] (Figs 2–4 and Table 2).
What are post-COVID psychiatric symptoms?
The most frequent neuropsychiatric symptom was sleep disturbance [pooled prevalence = 27.4% (95% CI 21.4–34.4%)], followed by fatigue [24.4% (17.5–32.9%)], objectively measured cognitive impairment [20.2% (10.3–35.7%)], anxiety [19.1% (13.3–26.8%)] and post-traumatic stress [15.7% (9.9–24.1%)] (Figs 2–4 and Table 2). Conclusion: Post-COVID-19 sleep disturbances were commonly reported in the recovery period, also these sleep deficits had an impact on the physical and mental aspects of quality of life, so these sleep problems must be managed properly especially in this critical pandemic era. Additionally, many long COVID patients report problems with insomnia, including difficulty falling asleep or staying sleep, often due to severe pain. It’s well known that getting enough sleep is critical to mental health, and insomnia has been associated with suicidal thoughts and behavior, Dr. Dickerman says. While stress, depression, an erratic sleeping schedule, physical illness, and discomfort can all lead to insomnia, some vitamins can contribute to it. In particular, vitamins B6, B12, C, D, and E can improve or lower your sleep quality and duration.
Is long COVID a mental health issue?
Some studies say that 13% of long COVID patients develop mental health problems; others say 20%. Data on emergence of symptoms is also inconsistent. The strongest studies to date say neuropsychiatric symptoms develop four to six months after acute infection, said Dr. Long COVID is treatable, Dr. McAuley says, and research shows it’s possible to erase symptoms entirely. A large study from Scotland, published in Nature Communications in October 2022, found that more than half of long COVID patients fully recovered from symptoms within 18 months. One of the studies, which included 144 patients with COVID-19, found that anxiety occurred in 35 percent and depressive symptoms in 28 percent. Among the 23 cases of psychosis, dementia-like syndrome, or other disorders, only 2 (9 percent) represented an exacerbation of a pre-existing disorder. Long COVID is not the only post-viral syndrome to cause brain fog—patients with conditions including post-Lyme disease and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), for example, can also experience debilitating cognitive deficits. Dr. Each person’s recovery is different. Some recover in a few weeks or months. But for others, depression is a long-term illness. In about 20% to 30% of people who have an episode of depression, the symptoms don’t entirely go away.
Does stress cause long COVID?
Another potential risk factor for developing long COVID could be chronic stress, which has been shown to put a strain on the immune system. It is known from infections with other coronaviruses and other viral respiratory diseases that chronic stress can lead to prolonged illness and limited recovery. Long COVID: Sleep problems During any illness it’s common to sleep more as your body fights the infection. While you’re recovering, it’s also common to have disturbed sleep patterns. You may struggle to get back into a good routine. Your healthcare professional will talk to you about the wide range of possible long COVID symptoms, and how they may come and go over time. They may suggest some tests – for example a blood test. You’ll generally be able to manage most of your symptoms on your own but you may need some help from your primary care team. In a series of experiments, scientists at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical found that patients with severe COVID-19 exhibit a drop in cognitive performance that mimics accelerated aging.