COVID Depression

COVID-19 has only been around a few years, so little is known about its long-term effects. However, many people develop depression during or after COVID infection. At Axis Integrated Mental Health’s offices in Louisville and Aurora, Colorado, mood disorder specialists are at the forefront of COVID depression diagnosis and treatment. If you’ve had COVID and can’t shake feelings of depression, call the Axis Integrated Mental Health office nearest you today. You can also schedule an in-person or telehealth consultation online.

What is COVID depression?

COVID depression is a mental health condition affecting some people with COVID-19. There’s a lot to learn about COVID depression because it’s such a recent development. Research is ongoing to understand the problem and how best to treat it.

Globally, depression rates increased by 25% during COVID’s first year due to the disease and lifestyle changes resulting from the pandemic. Around half of American adults experience depression symptoms after having COVID, and the risk of depression and other mental health problems is above average for up to a year after patients recover.

What symptoms does COVID depression cause?

No two patients are alike when it comes to COVID depression symptoms, but common problems the Axis Integrated Mental Health team sees include:

• Sadness, emptiness, tearfulness, and hopelessness
• Insomnia or sleeping excessively
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Reduced interest in hobbies and social activities
• Lowered sex drive
• Difficulty getting out of bed or dressing
• Increased irritability and frustration
• Angry outbursts
• Anxiety and restlessness
• Slowed speaking, thinking, and movements
• Worthlessness, guilt, and self-blame
• Difficulty thinking, focusing, and making decisions
• Poor memory
• Unexplained back pain or headaches
• Personality changes

You may have a reduced appetite and lose weight, or gain weight because of increased food cravings. Those severely affected by COVID depression have recurring thoughts of death and suicide and may attempt to take their own life. Symptoms can last for months or years after a COVID infection.

How is COVID depression treated?

Treating COVID depression is similar to treating major depressive disorder or treatment-resistant depression. Axis Integrated Mental Health uses a holistic, integrative psychiatry approach, designing a personalized treatment plan for you based on a thorough physical exam, medical history, and symptom review.

Potential COVID depression treatments include:  

Medications

Antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first depression treatment. Depending on your symptoms, you might require mood stabilizers or antipsychotics.

Psychotherapy

Talk therapy helps you understand harmful, negative thought patterns so you can change them.

Alternative therapies

Patients who don’t get relief from COVID depression through psychotherapy and medication can try alternative therapies, either alone or combined with other treatments.

Ketamine infusions provide fast depression relief by remapping the brain and helping it to heal. Spravato® nasal spray containing a ketamine derivative may give quick relief from depression symptoms. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) helps create new pathways in your brain and promote healing.

Call Axis Integrated Mental Health or schedule a consultation online today for exceptional COVID depression treatment.