Recent research from the U.K. has revealed that nearly one in five individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 also faces a mental health disorder within three months of their diagnosis. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 continue to unfold, prompting scientists to investigate beyond the typical physical symptoms, such as respiratory complications.
Researchers from the University of Oxford, in collaboration with the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, found that close to 20% of COVID-19 patients received a psychiatric diagnosis shortly after their positive test. Common conditions included anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
More concerning is the finding that individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions are 65% more likely to contract COVID-19 compared to those without such a history, even when accounting for other risk factors like age and medical history. “This unexpected result warrants further exploration. Meanwhile, having a psychiatric disorder should be considered a significant risk factor for COVID-19,” noted Dr. Jenna Fox, a lead researcher in the study.
The investigation reviewed health records of around 70 million U.S. patients, including over 62,000 who tested positive for COVID but did not require hospitalization. Among these patients, 18.1% were diagnosed with a mental illness within 14 to 90 days post-positive test, with 5.8% receiving their first mental health diagnosis.
To ascertain that this trend was indeed linked to COVID-19, researchers compared these findings with data from patients suffering from various other medical conditions, such as respiratory infections, gallstones, and bone fractures. The incidence of first-time mental health diagnoses in these groups ranged from 2.5% to 3.4%, indicating that COVID-19 patients were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with mental health issues.
However, it is important to note that this study does not account for all potential variables. The uptick in mental health disorders may be influenced by the pandemic’s broader effects on daily life, rather than being solely a direct result of the virus itself. This research emphasizes the urgent need for further understanding of COVID-19’s impact on mental health, particularly in aiding recovery for those who have contracted the virus.
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In summary, nearly 20% of COVID-19 patients may develop mental health issues, with pre-existing conditions significantly increasing the risk. This highlights the need for further research into the long-term effects of the virus on mental well-being.