Mental Health in Long COVID

Mental Health. What is it?

What is it?

Mental health challenges have emerged as a prominent and often invisible aspect of Long COVID, impacting individuals’ emotional well-being, cognitive function, and overall quality of life. While the physical symptoms of Long COVID are often the focus of attention, the psychological toll of the illness can be equally profound, requiring recognition, understanding, and comprehensive support.

Typical Symptoms

Mental health challenges in Long COVID can manifest in a variety of ways, including persistent anxiety, depression, mood swings, cognitive dysfunction (such as “brain fog”), insomnia, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. These symptoms can fluctuate in intensity and duration, affecting individuals’ ability to function in daily life, maintain relationships, and engage in activities they once enjoyed. The invisible nature of these mental health struggles can make them particularly difficult to detect and address, underscoring the importance of proactive screening and support.

Who Gets It?

Mental health challenges in Long COVID can affect individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and previous health statuses. While some individuals may experience pre-existing mental health conditions exacerbated by Long COVID, others may develop new-onset symptoms in response to the stress, uncertainty, and isolation associated with the illness. Additionally, factors such as prolonged illness, physical debilitation, financial strain, and social disruption can further contribute to the psychological burden of Long COVID, highlighting the need for comprehensive mental health care and support.

Key Points

Mental health challenges represent a significant and often overlooked aspect of Long COVID, impacting individuals’ emotional well-being and overall recovery trajectory.
The invisible nature of mental health struggles in Long COVID underscores the importance of proactive screening, early intervention, and comprehensive support services.
Addressing mental health in Long COVID requires a holistic approach that encompasses psychological assessment, evidence-based interventions, social support, and access to mental health resources.

In the labyrinth of Long COVID, resilience shines brightest in the courageous hearts that seek support and find strength in the midst of invisible battles.
Long Covid The Answers

Relief:

Seek Professional Support: Reach out to mental health professionals, such as therapists, counselors, or psychiatrists, for evaluation and evidence-based treatment of mental health symptoms in Long COVID. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), medication management, and other psychotherapeutic interventions can help individuals manage anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges.
Build a Support Network: Connect with friends, family members, support groups, or online communities who can offer empathy, understanding, and validation of your experiences with Long COVID and mental health struggles. Peer support can provide invaluable encouragement, solidarity, and practical coping strategies.
Prioritize Self-Care: Incorporate self-care practices into your daily routine, such as mindfulness meditation, relaxation exercises, physical activity, adequate sleep, and healthy nutrition. Prioritizing self-care can help reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance resilience in the face of Long COVID-related mental health challenges.
Set Realistic Goals: Break tasks into manageable steps, set realistic goals, and celebrate small victories along the way. Avoid comparing yourself to pre-illness abilities and focus on progress and adaptation to the challenges of Long COVID and mental health recovery.
Advocate for Comprehensive Care: Advocate for access to comprehensive mental health care and support services within healthcare systems, communities, and policy frameworks. Promote awareness, destigmatization, and inclusivity in addressing mental health in the context of Long COVID and other chronic health conditions.

In conclusion, mental health challenges are a significant and often invisible aspect of Long COVID, requiring recognition, understanding, and comprehensive support. By proactively addressing mental health symptoms, seeking professional support, building social connections, and prioritizing self-care, individuals can navigate the complexities of Long COVID and foster resilience in their journey towards recovery.

Credible sources of information:

The following references are a guide. Please refer to a fully qualified and fully registered healthcare practitioner such as a Psychologist, Family Physician or Psychiatrist for diagnosis and management of your illness.

Long COVID the Answers podcast with Professor James Jackson – “Psychological Management of Mental Health in Long COVID” – **coming soon!
Long COVID the Answers podcast with Professor Thida Thant – “The Psychiatric Management of Mental Health in Long COVID”- **coming soon!

World Health Organisation – if you type “Long COVID and mental health” in the website search engine pages of information and research about the Worldwide effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our mental health, and Long COVID and mental health, appear. This ranges from research done in specific countries to presentations of various mental health topics about COVID-19 and Long COVID. Worth exploring.

Monje M, Iwasaki A. The neurobiology of long COVID. Neuron. 2022 Nov 2;110(21):3484-96. – Excellent paper, but dense read, talks about 6 main ways that COVID-19 may affect the central nervous system leading to neurological and neuropsychiatric deficits.

Mental Health in Long COVID – A Resource for GPs – Provincial Health Services Authority Guideline for Family Physicians in British Columbia Canada. Brief guidance on assessment and management of mental illness in Long COVID with some useful links.