We have known for a while how mental and physical trauma on the battlefield can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder. Primary reactions can include avoidance, intrusive memories, changes in mood and thought, and different emotional and physical responses to situations. Now a study published in Lancet Psychiatry on April 6, 2021 suggests there are lingering mental effects from COVID-19 too. And they include depression and dementia.
People Diagnosed in Previous Six Months Are Most Affected
The researchers at Oxford University, England first examined the health records of 236,400 Covid-19 patients from January to December 2020. Then they compared these with 105,600 people diagnosed with influenza over the same period.
They found those with the coronavirus infection were 44% more likely to develop neurological and mental problems. And that these problems were more likely to include depression, dementia, psychosis, and stroke according to BBC. However, the risk was higher if they entered hospital or intensive care.
The team concluded the stress of being ill in hospital, and the biological impacts of the virus were behind this. And the most likely lingering mental effects from COVID-19 were anxiety and mood disorders.
Cause and Effect of Lingering Mental Effects from COVID-19
But, the Oxford University team studied medical records after the event. Therefore, they could not say whether the coronavirus actually caused the conditions. Besides, some of the people would have experienced a stroke or depression in the next six months anyway.
However, they did conclude that COVID-19 associated with more subsequent brain conditions than other respiratory illnesses.
1… They were 16% more likely to develop a psychological or neurological disorder
2… This likelihood was highest if they were severely ill with coronavirus
3… 24% of all patients in the study had mood, anxiety or psychotic disorders
However, the 24% increased to 25% if they admitted to hospital, rising to 28% in intensive care. Moreover 36% displayed the symptoms, if they had been mentally or emotionally confused with delirium.
‘In summary, the present data show that COVID-19 is followed by significant rates of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses over the subsequent 6 months. Services need to be configured, and resourced, to deal with this anticipated need.’ (Research Report)
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