Could COVID-19 infection be responsible for your depressed mood or anxiety?

Doctors told you that your COVID-19 virus infection cleared months ago. However, even though you no longer struggle to breathe, and your oxygen levels have returned to normal, something doesn’t feel right. In addition to constant headaches, you find yourself struggling with seemingly easy tasks. The fatigue you experience makes moving from the bed to the kitchen feel like an accomplishment. But most troubling for you is a feeling of dread, a nervousness so severe you can feel your heart pounding. Constant worries now keep you from sleeping at night. What are the mental health effects of COVID-19? We are still learning about the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the brain. Data from Wuhan suggest that the virus may invade the brain, with more than one-third of infected patients developing neurologic symptoms. In addition to brain infection, we know that the pandemic has resulted in worsening mental health outcomes due to the psychological toll of isolation, loneliness, unemployment, financial stressors, and the loss of loved ones. The prescription of antidepressants has spiked, intimate partner violence has increased, and suicidal thoughts are on the rise, especially in young adults. Does COVID-19 infection increase the risk of psychiatric disorders? Until recently, mental health outcomes as a result of COVID-19 infection were not known. A new study of electronic health records of 69 million people found that COVID-19 infection increased the risk of developing a psychiatric d...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Behavioral Health Coronavirus and COVID-19 Mental Health Prevention Stress Source Type: blogs