Pandemic Anxiety and Depression!!!

Let’s find ways to avoid long-term Medications

The term post-covid still continues in many families troubling them in the form of many symptoms that disturb general well-being including panic attacks, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory problems (brain fog), and cognitive impairment that can seriously impact the quality of life.

This is often in addition to other ongoing symptoms such as complaints of insomnia, generalized weakness, chest pain, headache, joint pains, heaviness in the chest, shortness of breath, palpitations, anxiety, trouble concentrating, suicidal thoughts, general fatigue, muscle weakness, overeating, weight gain, withdrawing socially from family & friends, etc.

Researchers say that there is about a 25% increase in cases of psychological diseases after long Covid and according to WHO, individuals in the age group of 18 years to 29 years and more women compared to men are affected by this.

Neurological symptoms seem to be among the most prolonged and debilitating symptoms lasting even for years after infection according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).

A dysfunctional immune system, along with reduced gray matter volumes in the regions involved in processing memory, emotion, and smell, and altered connectivity patterns in the brain networks that are involved in attention and executive function contribute to neurological symptoms of long covid according to scientists.

Brain Fog presents with symptoms such as feeling slow, difficulty with thinking and concentration, confusion and forgetfulness, etc., and nearly half of the patients affected with long covid reported either poor memory or brain fog according to the JAMA Network open study on long covid symptoms.

How to manage symptoms

Approaching patients with questionnaires, detailed history taking, and the use of assessment tools for depressive symptoms and generalized anxiety disorder can help with early identification and diagnosis.

• It is also necessary to rule out a family history of bipolar disorders, other comorbidities, past substance abuse, history of anemia, hypothyroidism, etc.

• A mini mental status examination should be done, BMI should be measured, and hallucinations, delusions, speech, and judgment access needs to be assessed.
• Early screening, educating patients on signs & symptoms, counseling, and encouragement by health care providers helps with recovery and getting better.

There are also multiple non-pharmacological therapies that are as effective as medication and they include.

• Cognitive Behavioral therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Sensory motor therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Neuromuscular therapy

In addition, breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, jogging, and walking help to counteract sympathetic nervous system dominance and encourage parasympathetic system activity allowing both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems to respond to what the body needs, combined physical and cognitive therapy helps achieve full recovery.

Other important measures

• Follow good sleep patterns.
• Stay motivated. Stay connected with your family and friends 
• Eat a Balanced diet and stay hydrated
• Exercise your body and mind.
• Minimize your stress levels.
• Make emotional health a priority
• Pace yourself but keep moving
• See a mental Health professional if the symptoms are disruptive