As COVID-19 cases are dwindling across the country, another national health disaster may be in the making. According to an article in The New England Journal of Medicine, long-haul covid is causing multiple physical and mental effects for unknown periods of time for millions of Americans. And they’re not the only ones sounding the alarm. Reports from Mayo Clinic, American Psychological Association and many others point to a growing concern about “Covid Long-Haulers” and the many difficult symptoms they are living with.
What is Lang-Haul COVID?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), long-haul or post-COVID is a set of coronavirus symptoms that persist or return roughly three months after an individual has become ill from infection with SARS CoV-2. Some symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and various cognitive problems like thinking and memory.
Some people have pre-existing conditions; others have been admitted to the ICU for long periods of time. Everyone seems to have experienced COVID-19 differently. Because of this, many other physical symptoms may also be present including:
- Persistent cough
- Joint pain
- Chest pain
- Headache
- Rapid heartbeat
- Intermittent fever
- Loss of taste and smell
- Breathing complications
- Heart problems
- Kidney damage
Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19
Besides common physical symptoms, people can experience a myriad of cognitive, mental or emotional complications including difficulty concentrating, brain fog, dizziness, sleep difficulty, nightmares, depression and anxiety. Other symptoms being reported include:
- Reduced attention span
- Delirium
- Persistent grief
- Feelings of loss
- Memory problems
Individuals who spent long periods of time in the ICU are at a higher risk for more serious conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Some individuals may have already had underlying mental health issues, and long-haul COVID seems to be making them worse.
Who’s at Risk?
According to research, earlier this year there were over 15 million cases of long-haul COVID in the United States. Most people are under age 65 and the average age of people with it is 40. That makes the majority of these people employed and in the middle of their careers. Women are affected more than men. In general, most people had no pre-existing co-morbidities.
Healthcare professionals and caregivers have been particularly vulnerable to coming into contact with COVID-19 due to the very nature of their work. Depending upon the professional’s age and health status, they too, may be at risk of developing lang-haul COVID. And because more women work in healthcare, they are at greater risk than men.
What Can be Done?
Depending upon specific symptoms, severity and how they interfere with daily living, long-haulers do have options in terms of treatments. For mental and emotional issues, it’s recommended to get a referral from a family doctor to a mental health counselor, psychologist and at times, a psychiatrist, especially if the person requires medications. Either way, an evaluation can be performed and the therapist will have a clearer picture concerning symptoms and issues.
As with any health concern, early treatment is recommended. The sooner a professional starts treatment, the better. Individuals with long-haul COVID can begin doing practical, everyday things to help themselves navigate the symptoms, develop coping skills, and manage emotions.
Taking a holistic approach to recovery is important and should focus on the whole person, including their mental and emotional needs as well as their social, occupational and spiritual lives. Working with physical, occupational or speech therapists may be beneficial for some. Many hospitals around the country have post-COVID departments specializing in the treatment of many lingering problems and disorders.
Final Thoughts on Long-Haul COVID and Mental Health
COVID-19 impacted everyone’s life in one way or another. Some people never knew they had it and showed no symptoms. Others experienced mild to moderate symptoms, and there are those who died due to age, health conditions and other complications.
Many health and medical experts are now concerned about another wave of problems known as long-haul COVID and all of the issues it may bring. Regardless of physical or emotional systems, there are things that can be done to manage symptoms and improve one’s quality of living, hopefully until this new post-COVID phenomenon is over for good.