Long COVID-19’s impact on mental health

Isolation caused by COVID-19 during the height of the pandemic had a devastating effect on many people, but a recent advisory is bringing awareness to Long COVID and its relationship to people struggling with their mental health.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s advisory warns that Long COVID—a condition with a range of symptoms that can last weeks, months, or even years after infection—can harm the mental health of those who experience it, as well as their families. This is due to various factors such as chronic illness (both physical and mental), social isolation, financial insecurity, caregiver burnout, and grief.

Not everyone who gets COVID-19 will experience Long COVID, but those who develop the condition are at a higher risk of experiencing fatigue, sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety, psychosis, cognitive impairment, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.

Along with treating physical symptoms that are caused by Long COVID, it’s equally important to find a mental health treatment that is beneficial to the overall well-being when experiencing mental health symptoms.

“We have little control over how Long COVID affects us physically, but those who are struggling with mental health can gain some control by beginning treatment,” said Dr. Raymond Garcia, Vice President of Medical Services at Rosecrance. “For some, it can be the first step toward returning to a healthy, whole place.”

At Rosecrance, we are dedicated champions of hope that offer a wide range of expert behavioral healthcare services for both youth and adults. Our support includes inpatient treatment as well as various outpatient services available at clinics located throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.