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Recent research indicates that individuals who recover from COVID-19 are at a higher risk of developing conditions that impact their mental health, brain, and nervous system, in contrast to those recovering from the flu or other respiratory infections. Simply put, if you have been struggling with mental health challenges after COVID, you're not alone in this experience.
What were the results of the study?
A new study, published in Lancet Psychiatry, analyzed millions of medical records to track the diagnoses assigned to individuals following a case of COVID. The researchers uncovered a range of “neurological and psychiatric” conditions, such as stroke, anxiety, and depression. Although these complications were more prevalent in those who had severe COVID cases, they were also observed in individuals with milder or moderate cases.
Approximately one-third of COVID patients received one of these diagnoses, and 12.8% of those with COVID were given a new diagnosis following their battle with the virus. The remainder of the cases consisted of individuals with ongoing conditions or those whose previous conditions reappeared after the infection.
It’s likely that not all of these conditions are directly linked to COVID; for instance, if someone had experienced depression in the past, it could resurface regardless of whether they contracted the virus. However, there does appear to be something unique about COVID, as seen in the statistics.
We are already aware that COVID increases the risk of stroke and that spending time in an ICU can raise the risk of delirium, which may involve confusion and memory loss. Additionally, we don’t have data on individuals who had COVID but didn’t seek medical attention; they are not part of this study.
Some individuals who have recovered from COVID have also reported experiencing cognitive issues referred to as “brain fog,” which may be linked to how the virus impacts the brain or to a response from the immune system.
A pair of psychiatrists noted in an accompanying editorial that certain mental health conditions following COVID could be “psychosocial.” This means that disorders such as depression or anxiety may stem from life experiences—hospital stays, isolation, or work and financial difficulties—rather than solely from the virus’s effects on the brain.
Regardless of the exact cause, this study highlights the connection between COVID and mental health challenges. If you haven’t felt like yourself since recovering from the virus, know that you are definitely not alone. You might want to explore “long COVID” support groups to connect with others, and it could be a good idea to find a therapist to address any lingering or new mental health concerns.
