About 20 Percent of COVID-19 Patients Later Develop Mental Illness

About 20 Percent of COVID-19 Patients Later Develop Mental Illness

Research has found that approximately 20% of those infected with COVID-19 go on to suffer mental illness. Psychotic disorders like anxiety, depression and insomnia are the most common effects experienced by those who become infected. Researchers note the significance of these findings, noting any virus which affects central nervous system or physical functioning can adversely impact mental wellbeing.

According to the study authors, early identification of symptoms can help avoid future issues. They further advocate for greater recognition of these concerns by governments, public and private health insurance providers, and health systems.

John LeMonda, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), states that mental health can be affected by many factors such as stress, diet and sleep. Any infection which disrupts brain biochemistry could potentially lead to issues with cognition.

Recent research from the University of Oxford revealed that those who contracted influenza virus were twice as likely to experience mental illness than those without. Analyzing electronic medical records for 69.8 million US patients, psychiatrists discovered that 5 percent of coronavirus victims experienced a mental illness within three months after becoming infected with the virus.

According to the study authors, it’s essential for doctors to detect any symptoms of mental illness in patients soon after they recover from COVID-19 so that appropriate treatment can begin. This is especially pertinent for those who already have preexisting psychiatric disorders like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.