As COVID-19 variants cause an increase in mild cases, you might expect that contracting the disease wouldn’t be so bad. The illness can cause physical symptoms like body aches, fever, headaches, congestion, and coughing. The COVID-19 symptoms may resolve quickly, but some people experience adverse effects on their mental health. Anxiety, depression, and other issues may develop or worsen.
In some people, mild COVID-19 infections have triggered a sudden onset of significant neuropsychiatric illness. For instance, a case study in the journal Biological Psychiatry showed how a 30-year-old man with mild COVID-19 symptoms began experiencing extreme anxiety, paranoia, delusions, and violent outbursts. In addition, he experienced alternating episodes of hypersomnia and insomnia. He would sleep 22 hours per day. Then he would go through periods of sleeping only 3 to 4 hours per day. The journal JAMA Neurology has also published cases of sudden severe psychiatric symptoms in patients with mild COVID-19.
However, some patients develop mental health issues more slowly. Typically, the symptoms aren’t as severe. Some people have generalized feelings of anxiety or sadness several weeks to months after COVID-19 symptoms. If you test positive for COVID, be sure to pay attention to any changes in your mental health and talk to your doctor early.
COVID-19 effects on mental health
A growing body of emerging research shows that contracting COVID-19 can trigger or worsen mental health problems like depression or anxiety, in addition to other brain-related issues. Let’s take a look at some of the evidence about COVID-19 mental health links.
A 2021 study in The Lancet analyzed data from 236,379 people diagnosed with COVID-19 and found that 34% of people developed psychiatric or neurological problems within 6 months following infection. The most common mental health issues included the following:
- Anxiety disorders (17%)
- Mood disorders (14%)
- Substance use disorders (7%)
- Insomnia (5%)
- Psychotic disorder (1%)
Another study published in The Lancet found that 20% of COVID-19 patients who had no history of mental illness developed a psychiatric issue within 3 months of getting diagnosed with the disease.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that long-term symptoms resulting from COVID-19 may include obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), psychosis, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), memory loss, accelerated brain aging, and mild cognitive impairment.
Another study in 2021 found that a common antidepressant, fluvoxamine, may decrease the risk of severe symptoms in COVID-19. Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which has anti-inflammatory properties and may provide some anti-viral properties.
COVID-19 and the brain
Brain SPECT imaging scans of patients reveal that COVID-19 can contribute to changes in brain activity. SPECT is a functional brain imaging technique that measures blood flow and activity in the brain. Researchers have found elevated activity in the limbic system of COVID-19 patients.
The limbic system is the part of the brain region related to emotions and is involved with emotions and sexuality. Elevated activity in the limbic system is associated with a higher risk of clinical depression, sleep problems, negative thinking, and risk of sadness.
Dealing with post-COVID-19 mental health symptoms
If you are experiencing the onset or worsening depression, anxiety, or other mental health problems, talk to your doctor. Brain SPECT imaging can help pinpoint answers regarding your mental health issues. An integrative or functional medicine doctor can investigate the root causes of depressive and anxiety symptoms to determine if systemic inflammation or chronic infections are involved in causing the symptoms.
In the meantime, you can take some proactive steps to help alleviate mental health symptoms including:
- Fuel your mind with healthful foods. Focus on organic produce, antibiotic-free and hormone-free lean protein, and good fats such as avocados and nuts.
- Stay away from alcohol. It is pro-inflammatory and can exacerbate depressive symptoms and fatigue.
- Eliminate sugar. It increases inflammation, which may be a contributor to mental health issues.
- Get moving. Physical activity can lift your mood and exercises like yoga can relax your mind.
- Promote good sleep habits. Create a sleep schedule and stick to it. Switch off your electronic gadgets at least 1 hour before you go to bed and make sure your room is cool and dark.
COVID-Brain and the mental health issues associated with it must be addressed. Don’t wait to talk to your doctor. There are options for you.