Study Identifies Link , Between Long COVID , and Poor Mental Health.
'The Guardian' reports that people who feel anxious, highly-stressed, lonely or depressed before catching coronavirus are more prone to suffering from long COVID.
According to a Harvard analysis, when compared to people in good mental health, people with high levels of psychological distress are 32%-46% more likely to suffer from long-term COVID.
According to a Harvard analysis, when compared to people in good mental health, people with high levels of psychological distress are 32%-46% more likely to suffer from long-term COVID.
The team behind the study says the results highlight the importance of mental health care to reduce the impact of long COVID.
The associations were stronger with these risk factors than with other things we know to be associated with long COVID, such as obesity, hypertension and asthma, Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, via 'The Guardian'.
Symptoms of long COVID include fatigue, breathlessness, brain fog and heart problems. .
Researchers note that psychological distress can drive chronic inflammation and disrupt the immune system, which could be what makes people more vulnerable to long COVID.
Mental health has also been linked to being more susceptible to common colds and other respiratory tract infections.
People with severe mental illness are at higher risk of developing a range of physical health problems, including long COVID, Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, via 'The Guardian'.
People with long COVID must be able to access the healthcare they need, including appropriate specialist mental health provision, Adrian James, President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, via 'The Guardian'.
The team's findings were published in 'JAMA Psychiatry.'
