Even after recovering from COVID , do you still feel like your body and mind are not right? Do you have frequent headaches, fatigue, and feelings of heaviness, sadness, and frustration? Maybe you are struggling alone with post-COVID depression. Don't worry, this is not something that happens to you alone. Let's talk about this in detail and simply.
What is COVID depression ?
Simply put, this is like any other depressive condition. But the main reason for this is the entry of the Covid-19 virus into our body. This virus causes some chemical and biological changes in our body, especially in the brain, which pave the way for this condition.
Research has found that some people with COVID-19 have reduced metabolizing of glucose, a source of energy in the brain. Similarly, for some people, when depression sets in after COVID, levels of serotonin, a chemical that helps us feel happy, decrease. Research is still ongoing to understand how the inflammation caused by the virus in our bodies and brains affects this.
What is the connection between Covid and depression?
Even if your COVID symptoms (like fever and cough) are gone, you may still feel completely out of sorts. You may have a constant headache, feel weak, feel anxious, and have trouble functioning at work.
In fact, research has shown that a large percentage of people who recover from COVID-19 continue to show symptoms of depression months later. This risk is particularly high for those who have had a more severe case of the disease.
In addition, conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder ( OCD ) have also been reported among COVID-19 survivors. This means that someone who has had COVID is more likely to develop mental health problems after recovery.
Why is this happening? What are the reasons?
A COVID infection can affect your mental health for two main reasons.
| Reason | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. The body's immune response against the virus | When you are infected with a virus, your immune system prepares to fight. At this time, it produces inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. If these increase out of control, they can damage the nervous system and affect the brain. These biological changes are what trigger conditions like depression. |
| 2. Stress associated with infection | The fear of getting sick, social isolation, fear of infecting others, and the stigma associated with the disease can cause great mental stress. This stress is especially high for those who have been hospitalized and are receiving treatment alone. This mental stress is also a major cause of depression. |
Do you also have these symptoms?
If you have one or more of the following symptoms four weeks or longer after contracting COVID, you should definitely pay attention to them. These may be persistent or may come and go.
| Common symptoms of depression | |
|---|---|
| • Always feeling sad and frustrated | • The inability to find pleasure in anything |
| • Disappointment about life | • Constant fatigue, feeling of weakness |
| • Inability to concentrate on even the smallest things (e.g. watching TV) | • Loss of appetite or overeating |
| • Sleeping too much or not sleeping well (insomnia) | • Thoughts of harming oneself or taking one's life |
If you have symptoms like these, please do not suffer alone and seek advice from your family doctor or a mental health specialist .
How does a doctor accurately diagnose this condition?
There is no specific test for this. When you go to see the doctor, he will ask you a few questions about your feelings, thoughts, and experience with COVID. It is very important that you tell him that you have COVID and that you are not hiding anything about it .
The doctor may ask things like:
- How difficult was it for you?
- Did anyone help you?
- Were you hospitalized? How long were you there?
- Were you in the intensive care unit (ICU)?
- How is the recovery time?
- Did these symptoms start before or after Covid?
In addition, a physical examination may be performed to check for a physical cause and a blood test to check for a hormonal problem, such as a thyroid problem.
What are the treatments available?
Research is still ongoing to find the best treatments for this, but current treatments can help control your symptoms and help you get well again.
- Drug treatment: Your doctor may prescribe you antidepressant medication.
- Counseling and Psychotherapy: Talking to a mental health counselor can be a great way to understand and manage your emotions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective method for this.
- Peer Support: Talking to groups of people who are experiencing Long COVID or COVID Depression like you can help you feel like you're not alone.
- Rehabilitation programs:These will help overcome the physical weaknesses caused by Covid. When the body is strong, the mind also feels good.
What is considered an emergency?
Sometimes, if left untreated or undiagnosed, it can become severe and become an emergency. If you or someone you know has any of the following symptoms, please seek help immediately.
- Recurrent thoughts of harming oneself.
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
- Feeling like you want to die.
- Attempting suicide.
In such a situation, please go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Alternatively, you can call the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 24/7 emergency number 1926 for immediate assistance.
Take-Home Message
- COVID-19 is not just a respiratory illness. It can cause chemical changes in your brain, leading to conditions like depression.
- If you feel this way, it's not your fault or a weakness. It's a medical condition.
- Persistent sadness, fatigue, frustration, and lack of interest in anything even weeks after recovering from COVID are red flags that need attention.
- Please don't suffer alone with this. Talk to someone you trust. Definitely see your doctor and get advice.
- This condition can be fully recovered from through medication, counseling, and other supportive services.
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