Researchers in the U.K. have made a significant finding regarding the psychological effects of COVID-19, revealing that nearly one in five patients diagnosed with the virus also develops a mental health disorder within three months. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 extend beyond the commonly recognized symptoms, such as respiratory damage. New insights continue to emerge, and a study conducted by scientists at the University of Oxford has highlighted a concerning trend: the link between COVID-19 and mental illness.
In collaboration with the NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, the researchers analyzed health records of approximately 70 million individuals in the U.S., including over 62,000 COVID-19 cases that did not require hospitalization. Astonishingly, about 18.1% of these patients were diagnosed with a psychiatric condition within 14 to 90 days following their positive test result. Among these cases, 5.8% represented individuals receiving their first-ever mental health diagnosis. Common disorders identified included anxiety, depression, and insomnia.
Even more troubling was the discovery that individuals with a pre-existing mental health condition were 65% more likely to contract COVID-19 than those without such a history, even after accounting for other known risk factors like age and medical history. “This finding was unexpected and needs investigation,” stated Dr. Jenna Lewis, one of the study’s authors. “In the meantime, having a psychiatric disorder should be added to the list of risk factors for Covid-19.”
To validate their findings, researchers compared data from COVID-19 patients with those suffering from other medical conditions, such as respiratory illnesses and urinary tract infections. The rate of first-time mental health diagnoses in these other groups ranged from 2.5% to 3.4%, indicating that COVID-19 patients were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental health issue.
While this study presents crucial insights, it does not encompass all influencing factors. The rise in mental health disorders may stem from pandemic-related stressors rather than being a direct consequence of the virus itself. Nevertheless, this highlights the urgent need for further research to understand the full impact of COVID-19 on mental health.
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Summary:
A recent study has revealed that nearly 20% of COVID-19 patients receive a mental health diagnosis within three months of their infection, with higher rates observed among those with pre-existing mental health conditions. This finding underscores the need for further research into the psychological impact of the virus.