Covid infection puts you at higher risk of anxiety and depression, according to study
dailyrecord.co.ukSuffering from Covid may make you more likely to experience depression and anxiety, according to a study. Experts have suggested that coronavirus is linked with an increased risk of mental health problems, that also included substance use and sleep problems, up to a year after infection.
The research analysed data collected from 153,848 people who were previously infected with Covid, comparing them with 560,000 participants with no history of of the virus.The study also looked at data from a further large control group from before the pandemic.Experts said that the research backs up previous findings but no longer follow-up, with people tracked for a year.
People with Covid-19 showed a 60 per cent higher risk of a mental health diagnosis or needing a mental health prescription at the one-year point compared to those who had not suffered with the virus.Anxiety rates were 35 per cent higher among those who had had Covid and 39 per cent higher for depression.People were also 55 per cent more likely to use anti-depressants.Having had Covid meant the equivalent of an extra 24 per 1,000 people suffered a sleep disorder, an extra 15 per 1,000 had depressive disorders, and an extra four had substance use problems.Similar results were found when the Covid-19 group was compared with the pre-pandemic group.The risks were highest in people admitted to hospital but were still apparent in those who recovered at home.Those with Covid-19 were also more likely to suffer mental health problems than patients with flu, while Covid patients who ended up in hospital were more likely to suffer mentally than those admitted for any other reason.
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