Riya Baibhawi

People With Mental Health Issues At Higher Risk Of Severe COVID-Know Why

Mental Health

COVID And Mental Health

People suffering from <span>mental illnesses</span> are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes compared to the general population, research has found. This puts <span>mental health</span> disorders, like anxiety and depression, alongside well-known COVID-19 risk factors like chronic heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. Speaking to the <em><span rel="noindex">New York Times</span>, </em>Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System said that mental health issues shouldn’t be treated differently than you treat diabetes or heart disease or cancer. 

Research has shown that various mental health disorders are linked to worse <span>COVID</span>-19 outcomes. Scientists now have a better understanding of who is vulnerable. While research has linked a wide range of mental illnesses to the worst COVID outcomes, people suffering from severe or unmanageable mental health conditions are at worst risk. For instance, a person suffering from schizophrenia has a considerably higher chance of getting hospitalized for COVID than someone suffering from anxiety of OCD.

<h2>Mental Health Conditions Make People Vulnerable To COVID-19 Virus</h2>A prime reason behind this is stress. Many mental health conditions lead to chronic stress which in turn, triggers the release of stress hormones like Cortisol and Adrenaline. Those hormones make it harder to produce certain immune cells that are crucial for fighting off illnesses. Elevated stress levels can lead to persistently high blood pressure and more plaque deposits in the heart, contributing to cardiovascular disease. Both these conditions are a precursor to <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/coronavirus">coronavirus</a></span> infection. 

Another reason is medication. A report by <em>New York Times</em> cites experts saying that several antipsychotic drugs might weaken the immune system and therefore, make it difficult to mount a response to pathogens such as coronavirus. Some antidepressant medications and antipsychotics can also lead to weight gain, which is linked to higher hospitalization rates in COVID patients, as per Centre For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).

Notably, a Covid infection raises the risk of developing mental illness, even with no history of psychiatric disorders. That’s partly because the virus "wreaks havoc in the brain," causing inflammation in areas that control emotion and cognition. Therefore, it is pivotal to take special care of people with mental health conditions. 

<h2>How To Identify COVID-19? </h2>The following are the most common symptoms of coronavirus:

<ul><li>Fever and Chills: Often among the first signs, persistent fever and chills are common indicators of infection.</li><li>Cough: A dry cough is a prevalent COVID-19 symptom, sometimes lasting even after recovery.</li><li>Fatigue: COVID-19 can lead to severe tiredness, affecting the ability to perform daily activities.</li><li>Shortness of Breath: Many individuals experience breathing difficulties, especially if COVID affects the respiratory system.</li><li>Loss of Taste or Smell: Sudden loss of taste and smell is a unique symptom linked to COVID-19, differentiating it from other respiratory illnesses.</li></ul>

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People suffering from mental illnesses are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes compared to the general population, research has found. This puts mental health disorders, like anxiety and depression, alongside well-known COVID-19 risk factors like chronic heart disease, asthma, and diabetes. Speaking to the New York Times, Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Healthcare System said that mental health issues shouldn’t be treated differently than you treat diabetes or heart disease or cancer. Research has shown that various mental health disorders are linked to worse COVID-19 outcomes. Scientists now have a better understanding of who is vulnerable. While research has linked a wide range of mental illnesses to the worst COVID outcomes, people suffering from severe or unmanageable mental health conditions are at worst risk. For instance, a person suffering from schizophrenia has a considerably higher chance of getting hospitalized for COVID than someone suffering from anxiety of OCD.Mental Health Conditions Make People Vulnerable To COVID-19 VirusA prime reason behind this is stress. Many mental health conditions lead to chronic stress which in turn, triggers the release of stress hormones like Cortisol and Adrenaline. Those hormones make it harder to produce certain immune cells that are crucial for fighting off illnesses. Elevated stress levels can lead to persistently high blood pressure and more plaque deposits in the heart, contributing to cardiovascular disease. Both these conditions are a precursor to coronavirus infection. Another reason is medication. A report by New York Times cites experts saying that several antipsychotic drugs might weaken the immune system and therefore, make it difficult to mount a response to pathogens such as coronavirus. Some antidepressant medications and antipsychotics can also lead to weight gain, which is linked to higher hospitalization rates in COVID patients, as per Centre For Disease Control And Prevention (CDC).Notably, a Covid infection raises the risk of developing mental illness, even with no history of psychiatric disorders. That’s partly because the virus "wreaks havoc in the brain," causing inflammation in areas that control emotion and cognition. Therefore, it is pivotal to take special care of people with mental health conditions. How To Identify COVID-19? The following are the most common symptoms of coronavirus:Fever and Chills: Often among the first signs, persistent fever and chills are common indicators of infection.Cough: A dry cough is a prevalent COVID-19 symptom, sometimes lasting even after recovery.Fatigue: COVID-19 can lead to severe tiredness, affecting the ability to perform daily activities.Shortness of Breath: Many individuals experience breathing difficulties, especially if COVID affects the respiratory system.Loss of Taste or Smell: Sudden loss of taste and smell is a unique symptom linked to COVID-19, differentiating it from other respiratory illnesses.

mental illnesses raise risk of covid, new study finds

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