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In a report recently published in The Lancet, a study of COVID-19 patients in the UK found that they were almost twice as likely to develop a psychiatric disorder after recovering from the virus, than people who hadnu2019t had it. From depression, anxiety, or dementia, 18% of those who took part in the study were found to develop mental health issues within just 3 months of their diagnosis.<br>
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In a report recently published in The Lancet, a study of COVID-19 patients in the UK found that they were almost twice as likely to develop a psychiatric disorder after recovering from the virus, than people who hadn’t had it. From depression, anxiety, or dementia, 18% of those who took part in the study were found to develop mental health issues within just 3 months of their diagnosis. In another recent study in Ecuador, individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were found to experience anxiety, insomnia, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. While it may take many more months of studies and research to understand exactly how the virus can impact the mind and brain, it’s thought that such effects are a result of both stress as a result of the pandemic, and the physical effects of the disease.
Developing COVID-19 leaves you at twice the risk of developing a mood or anxiety disorder for the first time In an evaluation of the health records of 69 million US residents – of whom 62,000 were diagnosed with COVID-19 – researchers from the university of Oxford and NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Center found that almost 6% of adults diagnosed with the virus, developed a psychiatric disorder for the first time, within just 90 days. This was compared to a mere 3.4% who didn’t have COVID-19. What their evaluation showed us is that individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were twice as likely to develop a mood or anxiety disorder for the first time, while older adults suffering from the virus, were at a two to three times higher risk of developing dementia.
How does COVID-19 affect the mind? It’s widely recognized that the diagnosis of COVID-19 itself can be a significant trigger for stress and anxiety, as so little is known about it and its impact, not to mention the fact that so many have tragically succumbed to it. Not only that, but when sufferers are forced to self-isolate or are not permitted to visit friends or family, this can also take its toll on mental health, and induce anxiety and depression.
The newness and potential severity of the virus means that diagnosis and treatment are far more likely to be traumatic and worrying in comparison to other conditions in which much more is known about them, and sadly, many COVID-19 sufferers must endure symptoms that can last for many months and interfere significantly with their daily lives. Anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is experiencing problems with their mental health that are new to them, is advised to seek professional help in the form of a therapist or counselor. Or, if you were already suffering with a form of mental illness and the virus has worsened your symptoms, please seek treatment at the earliest. Failure to act fast can prolong your misery and leave you feeling miserable and unable to cope.
How does COVID-19 affect the brain? After many months of research, scientists now understand that COVID-19 is so much more than a respiratory illness, and can in fact, have a lasting effect on many critical organs, such as the brain. Multiple reports have shown that patients diagnosed with the virus often experience neurological complications like confusion, delirium and a variety of other cognitive impairments. However, there is much more research to be done, and scientists are still unsure how the virus interacts with the central nervous system. Their initial findings are that it may damage the brains blood supply and cause swelling to the brain tissue, which in turn, could result in significant neurological and psychiatric illness in COVID-19 patients.
If you’re experiencing a mental health concern after being diagnosed with COVID-19, please seek help from a medical professional, counselor or psychotherapist immediately. Doral Psychotherapy offers online counseling services including therapy for Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, Grief, PTSD counseling in Doral FL. Gabriela is a licensed mental health counselor in Florida. If you’ve been feeling hopeless or lost lately, or struggling with a problem in your life that feels unsurmountable, individual counseling could help you. Our telehealth solution allows you to schedule an appointment directly online and have the entire therapy session take place digitally. If you are looking for an online trauma therapist in Doral, FL or online therapy for depression or anxiety or any kind of individual mental health issues, contact us at (786) 843-9527.
