Anxiety and Mood Disorders More Common after Covid-19
Research shows that 30% of Covid-19 patients are diagnosed with neurological or psychiatric issues after 6 months
Discussions surrounding “long-Covid” are widespread, but research is now emerging that will hopefully shed more light on specific issues, and therefore help to identify treatment and support strategies.
A study carried out by the University of Oxford’s psychiatry department has shown that anxiety and mood disorders were the most commonly diagnosed disorders after Covid-19 infection. Dementia and stroke were less common, but more likely in those who had been admitted to intensive care.
The study compared data from patients diagnosed with Covid-19, and a group who had flu, and another group with any respiratory tract infection. It was found that the Covid-19 group had the greatest risk of psychiatric or neurological effects in the long term.
Whilst the report reflects on the needs of healthcare systems to support those affected by such disorders, and the fact that the widespread nature of the pandemic makes this a potentially large problem, employers will also be affected.
At Riskex we have been monitoring anecdotal reports from long-Covid sufferers and observed similar experiences in people we know who have had Covid-19. As the pandemic moves into its next phases, and the population returns to a more normal life, the long-term effects of Covid-19 may have a deeper impact on employee performance than we realise. Careful record keeping identifying those at risk and implementing adequate support mechanisms for employees will become a priority.
