Those who have had COVID-19 have noticed a significant difference in their mental health than before the initial infection, while this might not be true for all that have had Covid, it is for many.
As we know Covid patients can develop long term risks due to lasting Covid symptoms, however, Covid patients are also at an increased long-term risk of developing mental health disorders. Those admitted to hospital due to a Covid infection showed higher risk of incident mental health outcomes than people admitted to the hospital for any other cause.
Some mental health disorders COVID-19 patients have reported include the following:
- Anxiety Disorders – Generalised anxiety disorder; obsessive compulsive disorder; social anxiety disorder
- Depressive Disorders – Major depressive disorder; disruptive mood dysregulation disorder; persistent depressive disorder
- Stress Disorders – Post-traumatic stress disorder; acute stress disorder; panic disorder. Many stress disorders are also categorised as anxiety disorders.
- Substance Use Disorders – Alcohol use disorder; opioid use disorder; nicotine use disorder
- Sleep Disorders – Insomnia; restless legs syndrome; narcolepsy
Of those said above, anxiety and depressive disorders have been reported to be the most common, there has also been an increase in the amount of alcohol consumption amongst those who developed symptoms of Covid.
Find more information on mental health HERE
There is an urgent need from the public and those who have had or have a Covid infection to urge governments around the world, including the UK government to find ways to promote awareness of the risk among people with Covid developing mental health disorders and turning to substances. Making sure that there are plans set in place that work towards preventing, understanding, and treating long Covid. Failure to follow through with these issues results in many losses and damages in the progress we have already made as a country and globally.
Long Covid demands greater attention. Find ways you can help yourself HERE
