Mental Health Implications Of Long COVID

In the moment, the effects of COVID are significant.

From physical health symptoms to the disruption that self-isolation causes, to the impacts that widespread lockdowns have had, each occurrence linked to COVID has carried tests for the majority.

While some form of normality is returning, where the memory of COVID will soon hopefully become just that, unfortunately for some individuals, long COVID will be a consequence of the ongoing pandemic.

Standing as long-term symptoms and implications of COVID, long COVID is in fact worryingly correlated with ongoing mental health symptoms, concerns over the momentum of COVID, and the chronic disruption of a life we once knew.

Previous pandemics, ranking similarly to COVID have presented just that, a spiralling impact from one crisis, to another, placing focus on the concern of mental health implications.

If you’re struggling mentally, the results of COVID could be why, caused by excessive isolation, change, sadness and disruption. Mental health implications of long COVID are expected to include social anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, PTSD and depression. If you’re experiencing such symptoms, at Cassiobury Court, we’re here for you.

Do not ignore your mental health in the midst of COVID, as your cognitive wellbeing matters.

What is long COVID?

In the moment, the effects of COVID are seen at their worst. In fact, such a nightmare will begin to dwindle for many individuals, once normality returns beyond the constraints of COVID as a global pandemic. However, for some, the nightmare of COVID is forecasted to continue, known as long COVID.

Long COVID is the accumulation of impacts, expected to reside for the long-term, including physical health problems, social issues, lifestyle worries and mental health implications.

Significant stress and change, commonly associated with a pandemic are known to incur such impacts, which carries a concern for many who have suffered through COVID.

While we’re aware of long COVID, and while coping strategies and management plans can be formed, the unknown of COVID, its end journey and the implications of its occurrence cannot be forecasted, making this a very difficult time for our society.

Long-lasting effects of COVID

There is a range of long-lasting effects of COVID which carry concern when considering the quality of life and wellbeing. The physical impacts of covid are expected to be for the long-term, where those who have experienced ill-health and internal damage may be impacted through ongoing respiratory symptoms and low immunity levels.

A further long-lasting concern of COVID surrounds the damage that it has caused on livelihoods, businesses, financial forecasts, personal insecurities and future stability. Many individuals will be impacted by irreversible consequences of lockdowns and restrictions, which can carry long-term effects.

Long COVID is especially linked to mental health implications, like ill-health, reduced quality and purpose of life, and as the constraints of the last year place pressure on our minds, our tolerances and our internal strength.

From reduced access to mental health services and the increased impacts of loneliness and social isolation to witnessing the front-line impacts of COVID, there are many triggers that are defined as influential, found to cause mental health deterioration.

Returning to normality and the concerns that such processes carry for some individuals showcase what’s ahead through long COVID. Readjusting will be tough for some, whether that’s on physical, social, financial or psychological scales.

However, the general consensus is, is that without the support and slow readjustment, mental health implications of long COVID are expected, increasing the need for mental health support services.

Mental health implications of long COVID

Expected mental health implications of COVID focus significantly on a range of anxieties, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, and mood disorders. Such symptoms have been experienced by many through the nature of COVID, where the unknown, where a lack of freedom and control and where a rollercoaster of emotions have all incurred.

Social anxiety is expected to be a key mental health implication of long covid, down to the impacts that excessive isolation can have. Many individuals will struggle to come to terms with the re-emergence of social expectations and social schedules, where fear surrounding socialisation and new engagements are common.

Social anxiety can be crippling, to the point where sufferers aim to remain at home, a key reflection of active COVID, soon becoming a result of long COVID.

Obsessive-compulsive behaviours are also forecasted, down to the level of obsession that COVID has caused. Many habits have formed around hygiene, social distancing and checking the news. Such behaviours, if continued can amount to obsessive and compulsive disorders, which if chronic, can be life-consuming.

Depression is also an expected result of long COVID, down to the emotional turmoil that the rollercoaster-like reality that covid has caused.  Through a lack of routine, through a lack of social contact, and through a lack of familiarity, the rising rate of mood disorders are seen as one of the mental health implications of long COVID.

Ultimately, the materialisation of new panic, anxiety and obsessive disorders are high on the forecasts of long COVID. However, we must also consider those who’ve already lived with mental health issues, and who’s been impacted through the inaccessibility of mental health services.

Long covid is likely to affect them down to the pre-existing vulnerabilities when focusing on mental health issues.

Sourcing help for long COVID and its impacts

Long-term problems linked to COVID, beyond what we’re currently experiencing are likely. PTSD and anxiety are very common post-pandemic, down to the change and unfamiliarity that such events cause. It’s imperative that those who are struggling to consider support, as long COVID, imaginably will be testing in some cases.

The likes of cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure therapy can be used to work through the implications of COVID, available here at Cassiobury Court.

69% of people in the UK are already experiencing concerns linked to COVID and its impact on life. A similar number is expected for the worries over long COVID. If you’re at all worried, contact our team for mental health support.