Mental health: Depression, irritability and mood swings

Long Covid patients often experience a decrease in serotonin, the hormone associated with well-being, which contributes to feelings of depression. This condition also affects the limbic system, responsible for emotions, leading to heightened emotional sensitivity. Depression in Long Covid patients is a medical condition that requires treatment, just like any other illness. 

These patients endure significant physical, psychological, and cognitive symptoms, impacting their professional and social lives, resulting in what can be described as "total pain." Accepting this condition is challenging as it involves a grieving process. Patients need empathetic, kind, and encouraging support from caregivers to navigate this difficult time. 

Moreover, many Long Covid patients suffer from impaired self-esteem, making it even more crucial to provide comprehensive psychological support. 

Patients suffering from long covid have to mourn the loss of their former abilities, as this is often no longer possible in severe forms of the disease. It is very difficult to come to terms with the disease and all its limitations, and patients need to be supported in this process. 

Sources:  

Post-Covid recommendations for primary care physicians – Switzerland  
Practical management of post-Covid19 disease, Dr Ioannis Kokkinakis, Dr Mathieu Saubade, Dr Konstantinos Tzartzas, Dr Serge De Vallière, Dr Catherine Duquenne, Pr Gilles Allali, Dr Frédéric Regamey and Pr Bernard Favrat - Rev Med Suisse 2023 

    • Feeling sad or having a depressed mood 

    • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed 

    • Changes in appetite — weight loss or gain unrelated to dieting 

    • Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much  

    • Loss of energy or increased fatigue 

    • Increase in purposeless physical activity (e.g., inability to sit still, pacing, handwringing) or slowed movements or speech (these actions must be severe enough to be observable by others) 

    • Feeling worthless or guilty 

    • Difficulty thinking, concentrating or making decisions 

    • Thoughts of death or suicide 

  • Simple actions to begin, that you can do right now   

    • Discuss with your doctor, family and friends of your mental state 

    • Thoughts of suicide are the sign of a very severe depression. It’s necessary to talk with a mental health caregiver or psychiatrist, to ask help and go to the emergencies or to hospital. 

    • Daily mind fullness meditation  

    • Daily resonance breathing (cohérence cardiaque) 

    • Soft music, singing (if possible) 

    • Calm activities like drawing, singing, garden 

    • Walk in nature (forest) 

    • Cold shower or put cold water on your face 

    • Stay in contact with your relatives 

    • Social and leisure activities 

     

    Additional actions to go further 

    • Observe your mood every day with “the mood diary” 

    • Hypnosis 

    • Relaxation techniques

    • Psychiatric and psychotherapeutic intervention 

    • Evaluation of the need of a stay in a health facility 

    • Blood test (thyroid and liver function, vitamins D, C, B12, B1, B6, Zink, Iron, Folic acid etc. 

    Tests:

    • Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) 

    • Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) 

    • PRIME-MD 

    • PICHOT scale 

    • CHADLER fatigue scale

    • GAD-7 anxiety scale

    • Patient Health Questionnaire, Depression Scale, PHQ-9

    • Psychotherapy aiming to remobilize the individual resources and seeking effective coping strategies  

    • Cognitive behavioural therapy 

    • Meditation 

    • Relaxation techniques 

    • Art therapy 

    • Psycho-corporeal approach 

    • Group therapy

Find out what has worked for others experiencing your symptoms.

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