Let's talk covid again! As if we ever stopped talking about it to begin with. Numbers are going up and hospitals are starting to get full again. I believe yesterday there were 292 new cases of COVID-19 reported here in San Antonio.
A recent study published in Lancet Psychiatry stated that 1 in 5 people with covid will have issues with depression, anxiety, restlessness, and sleep issues within the first three months. More interestingly the risk of anxiety disorders increased drastically. Depending on the severity, those that were hospitalized had a greater risk as opposed to someone that wasn't.
In my experience, I have seen people who recovered from covid describe brain fog or their mind is not as clear as what it once was. Waking up in the middle of the night as if they feel like they are in an isolated hospital room once again.
Although lots of anxious and restless thoughts may cloud the mind, comforting thoughts exist as well. Grateful and thankfulness for their life and family and friends that surround them for surviving COVID-19. Changes that they will be a better person because of it.
More studies are necessary to determine what happens in the long term of COVID 19 and mental health. It is important to get to recognizes that support, time, and positive thoughts will be helpful to get your mentally healthy self to a point you feel comfortable with.
Have a mentally healthy day!
Javen Valerie Cavazos
San Antonio Board Certified Adult Psychiatrist
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