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Mental Health HomepageConditions LibraryConditions CategoryConditions CategoryCOVID-19 Depression: Impact on Mental Health
Table of Contents:OverviewDepression in COVID-19 Patients & SurvivorsCOVID-19’s Impact on Mental HealthHow to Deal With Depression from the COVID-19 PandemicWhen It’s Time to Seek Help
DepressionRead Time: 8 Minutes
Published On: March 15, 2022
Reviewed On: March 15, 2022
Updated On: November 2, 2023
OverviewCOVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the globe for a solid two years now, and the toll it’s taken on us isn’t purely in regards to our physical health.
Overview
COVID-19 has wreaked havoc across the globe for a solid two years now, and the toll it’s taken on us isn’t purely in regards to our physical health.
Expert Insight
Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S), CIMHP, EMDRCynthia Catchings
In hindsight, it’s no surprise that the pandemic triggered mental health issues. The impact that living through a pandemic has had on our collective mental health is staggering. Whether you’ve tested positive, a friend or family member has caught it, or you’ve lost a loved one to COVID-19 — even if you’re just struggling as a result of the last two years — if you’ve found yourself more stressed, anxious, or a little depressed, hear this:you’re not alone.What’s more, there’s help out there for you.If there’s one thing a global pandemic has taught us, it’s that we’re better together. Read on to learn how COVIDdepressionmay be impacting your mental health and to learn what you can do about it.
In hindsight, it’s no surprise that the pandemic triggered mental health issues. The impact that living through a pandemic has had on our collective mental health is staggering. Whether you’ve tested positive, a friend or family member has caught it, or you’ve lost a loved one to COVID-19 — even if you’re just struggling as a result of the last two years — if you’ve found yourself more stressed, anxious, or a little depressed, hear this:you’re not alone.What’s more, there’s help out there for you.
If there’s one thing a global pandemic has taught us, it’s that we’re better together. Read on to learn how COVIDdepressionmay be impacting your mental health and to learn what you can do about it.
Depression in COVID-19 Patients & SurvivorsWhether you were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 or are one of the COVID 19 survivors, the depression you may be experiencing is not uncommon.First, it’s important to understand that things are not “normal” right now. Everything we’re going through during the pandemic has altered many aspects of our lives, which can be difficult for some people to process. Couple this reality with an actual diagnosis, and the stress and pressure can feel overwhelming at best, devastating at worst.
Depression in COVID-19 Patients & Survivors
Whether you were recently diagnosed with COVID-19 or are one of the COVID 19 survivors, the depression you may be experiencing is not uncommon.
First, it’s important to understand that things are not “normal” right now. Everything we’re going through during the pandemic has altered many aspects of our lives, which can be difficult for some people to process. Couple this reality with an actual diagnosis, and the stress and pressure can feel overwhelming at best, devastating at worst.
Is depression a side effect of COVID-19?
Though more studies need to be done to determine the long-term effects of depression due to COVID-19, someresearchis showing staggering results. In fact,more than half (52.4%)of people surveyed reported moderate to severe symptoms ofmajor depression, even several months post-recovery.
There seems to also be a link between the severity of COVID and depression. The same study found that those who suffered more severe symptoms during their bout with COVID are more likely to report depression symptoms after recovering from the virus. Further, COVID survivors seem to be more likely to report other mental health conditions as well, including:
What is causing depression following COVID-19?
While research continues, there are two ways it’s currently thought that COVID-19 can have an impact on mental health, including issues related to both:
Immune response:Part of what we think we know about COVID-19 infections is that in response to the virus, our immune system produces chemokines and cytokines, along with other inflammation-causing reactions. Higher levels of a specific cytokine — known as T-helper-2 cell-secreted cytokines — appears to be found in those withmore severe symptomsand cases of COVID.
High levels of cytokines can result in, among a host of other complications, the following:
Each of the above conditions are directly linked to various mental health conditions, like depression. Additionally,researchhas also linked elevated systemic immune-inflammation levels to major depressive disorder.
Psychological stress:Multiple psychological factors seem to play a part in depression during COVID. High levels of sleep disturbances, PTSD, anxiety, and depression have been commonlyreportedduring and after COVID infections. These may all be the result of stress-related to:
COVID-19’s Impact on Mental HealthEven if you haven’t contracted COVID-19, the toll the pandemic has taken on many people’s mental health cannot be denied. We’ve all been impacted on some level. Whether it’s fear for yourself,or worry for your kids and others, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic is something the majority of people seem to be struggling with.If you’ve experienced depression due to COVID-19 and related to any of the following, you’re not alone. Any of these can be factors that might be contributing to depression, anxiety, or a host of other mental health conditions.Fear of getting sickGeneral trauma about a deadly virusLoss of a sense of communityGrief from the loss of a loved oneGrief about missing milestones and major life eventsLoss of access to caregivers and basic medical needsFood insecurity or housing insecurityAdditional financial concernsLoss of a job or fear of a loss of a job
COVID-19’s Impact on Mental Health
Even if you haven’t contracted COVID-19, the toll the pandemic has taken on many people’s mental health cannot be denied. We’ve all been impacted on some level. Whether it’s fear for yourself,or worry for your kids and others, surviving the COVID-19 pandemic is something the majority of people seem to be struggling with.
If you’ve experienced depression due to COVID-19 and related to any of the following, you’re not alone. Any of these can be factors that might be contributing to depression, anxiety, or a host of other mental health conditions.
How to Deal With Depression from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Depression during COVID statistics haveincreased substantially. Some research shows that the prevalence of depressive symptoms increased in every category of participants.
The link between disrupted mental health and the pandemic is clear. This just confirms that research must continue if we’re going to combat further potential mental health consequences of COVID-19.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to reduce depression from COVID-19. If you’re struggling with mental health as a result of the pandemic, try any of the following self-help techniques. Each can be good for both your mental health.
When It’s Time to Seek HelpTimes are tough right now, and despite anxiety and stress being a normal reaction to any difficult phase of life, there comes a point when it might be time to get help. There’s no right or wrong way to respond to a crisis like COVID-19. That said, if you’re finding that your COVID depression andCOVID anxietyare altering your ability to function normally day in and day out, it’s important that you reach out and ask for help today from a mental health care professional. You don’t need to struggle alone, Talkspace is here for all of youronline therapyneeds.
When It’s Time to Seek Help
Times are tough right now, and despite anxiety and stress being a normal reaction to any difficult phase of life, there comes a point when it might be time to get help. There’s no right or wrong way to respond to a crisis like COVID-19. That said, if you’re finding that your COVID depression andCOVID anxietyare altering your ability to function normally day in and day out, it’s important that you reach out and ask for help today from a mental health care professional. You don’t need to struggle alone, Talkspace is here for all of youronline therapyneeds.
See References
Perlis, Roy H et al. JAMA network open vol. 4,3 e213223. 1 Mar. 2021, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.3223. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Gil-Etayo, Francisco Javier et al. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology vol. 11 624483. 26 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3389/fcimb.2021.624483. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Zeyu Chen and E. John Wherry. Nature Reviews Immunology. 2020;20(9):529-536. doi:10.1038/s41577-020-0402-6. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Speth, Marlene M et al. The Laryngoscope vol. 130,11 (2020): 2520-2525. doi:10.1002/lary.28964. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Taquet, Maxime et al. The lancet. Psychiatry vol. 8,2 (2021): 130-140. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30462-4. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Ettman, Catherine K et al. JAMA network open vol. 3,9 e2019686. 1 Sep. 2020, doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19686. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Cascio, Christopher N et al. Social cognitive and affective neuroscience vol. 11,4 (2016): 621-9. doi:10.1093/scan/nsv136. Accessed February 12, 2022.
Cynthia CatchingsCynthia Catchings is a trilingual licensed clinical social worker-supervisor, mental health consultant, professor, and trainer for federal law enforcement agencies. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about women’s mental health, life transitions, and stress management. Her clinical work, advocacy, and volunteer service have focused on working with domestic violence survivors and conducting mental health research in over 30 countries.
Cynthia Catchings is a trilingual licensed clinical social worker-supervisor, mental health consultant, professor, and trainer for federal law enforcement agencies. Cynthia has over 15 years of experience in the mental health profession. She is passionate about women’s mental health, life transitions, and stress management. Her clinical work, advocacy, and volunteer service have focused on working with domestic violence survivors and conducting mental health research in over 30 countries.
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