Covid-19 & Higher Rates of Mental Health Problems

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Covid-19 Higher Rates of Mental Health Problems
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• In a report recently published in The Lancet, a
  study of COVID-19 patients in the UK found that
  they were almost twice as likely to develop a
  psychiatric disorder after recovering from the
  virus, than people who hadnt had it. From
  depression, anxiety, or dementia, 18 of those
  who took part in the study were found to develop
  mental health issues within just 3 months of
  their diagnosis.
• In another recent study in Ecuador, individuals
  diagnosed with COVID-19 were found to experience
  anxiety, insomnia, depression and post-traumatic
  stress disorder. While it may take many more
  months of studies and research to understand
  exactly how the virus can impact the mind and
  brain, its thought that such effects are a
  result of both stress as a result of the
  pandemic, and the physical effects of the disease.

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• Developing COVID-19 leaves you at twice the risk
  of developing a mood or anxiety disorder for the
  first time
• In an evaluation of the health records of 69
  million US residents of whom 62,000 were
  diagnosed with COVID-19 researchers from the
  university of Oxford and NIHR Oxford Health
  Biomedical Research Center found that almost 6
  of adults diagnosed with the virus, developed a
  psychiatric disorder for the first time, within
  just 90 days. This was compared to a mere 3.4
  who didnt have COVID-19. What their evaluation
  showed us is that individuals diagnosed with
  COVID-19 were twice as likely to develop a mood
  or anxiety disorder for the first time, while
  older adults suffering from the virus, were at a
  two to three times higher risk of developing
  dementia.

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• How does COVID-19 affect the mind?
• Its widely recognized that the diagnosis of
  COVID-19 itself can be a significant trigger for
  stress and anxiety, as so little is known about
  it and its impact, not to mention the fact that
  so many have tragically succumbed to it. Not only
  that, but when sufferers are forced to
  self-isolate or are not permitted to visit
  friends or family, this can also take its toll on
  mental health, and induce anxiety and depression.

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• The newness and potential severity of the virus
  means that diagnosis and treatment are far more
  likely to be traumatic and worrying in comparison
  to other conditions in which much more is known
  about them, and sadly, many COVID-19 sufferers
  must endure symptoms that can last for many
  months and interfere significantly with their
  daily lives. Anyone who has been diagnosed with
  COVID-19 and is experiencing problems with their
  mental health that are new to them, is advised to
  seek professional help in the form of a therapist
  or counselor. Or, if you were already suffering
  with a form of mental illness and the virus has
  worsened your symptoms, please seek treatment at
  the earliest. Failure to act fast can prolong
  your misery and leave you feeling miserable and
  unable to cope.

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• How does COVID-19 affect the brain?
• After many months of research, scientists now
  understand that COVID-19 is so much more than a
  respiratory illness, and can in fact, have a
  lasting effect on many critical organs, such as
  the brain. Multiple reports have shown that
  patients diagnosed with the virus often
  experience neurological complications like
  confusion, delirium and a variety of other
  cognitive impairments. However, there is much
  more research to be done, and scientists are
  still unsure how the virus interacts with the
  central nervous system. Their initial findings
  are that it may damage the brains blood supply
  and cause swelling to the brain tissue, which in
  turn, could result in significant neurological
  and psychiatric illness in COVID-19 patients.

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• If youre experiencing a mental health concern
  after being diagnosed with COVID-19, please seek
  help from a medical professional, counselor or
  psychotherapist immediately.
• Doral Psychotherapy offers online counseling
  services including therapy for Anxiety, Trauma,
  Depression, Grief, PTSD counseling in Doral FL.
  Gabriela is a licensed mental health counselor in
  Florida. If youve been feeling hopeless or lost
  lately, or struggling with a problem in your life
  that feels unsurmountable, individual counseling
  could help you. Our telehealth solution allows
  you to schedule an appointment directly online
  and have the entire therapy session take place
  digitally. If you are looking for an online
  trauma therapist in Doral, FL or online therapy
  for depression or anxiety or any kind of
  individual mental health issues, contact us at
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