Depression after covid?

[secretoktober]

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and, if so, how long it lasted. I've just got over covid (had it quite badly) and have sunk into a horrible depression. I've had episodes of depression in the past but haven't felt like this for years. Anyone?

I did but i think it was a culmination of other things rather than just covid.

I did but also think it was a number of things and just made it worse. I went on medication which has helped a lot.

This isn't specific to covid but i was going to join a research study where they are looking at depression being linked to inflammation, the study is looking at adding an anti-inflammatory drug to a persons anti-depressants to see if this helps them improve quicker. Its quite likely that if this theory is correct, having Covid or another inflammatory illness may possibly cause a depressive episode or flare-up. I was just interested in that you said you haven't had a depressive episode for years and hence why this might be a possible explanation! Try taking some probiotics and stay off sugar and alcohol, covid def. can have a negative impact on the gut biome which also impacts on good mental health.

Thanks everyone. @s1h2o3na that's really interesting about the inflammation and gut links. I had vomiting and upset stomach symptoms with covid so it has clearly messed with my gut (which seems to be one of my weak spots). I'm off sugar and alcohol anyway but will make sure to take some probiotics. What is the study you mentioned?

There's well known links to inflammation and depression; some anti depressants help pain and painkillers help mood.

There's also a lot of research into certain probiotics and mood. Eating well with a range of veg, fruit and healthy fibre plus fermented foods eg yoghurts and even kombucha as well as early morning walks could be helpful.

Try working your way through these: (chocolate and gaming my favourites!)

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09by3yy/episodes/downloads

(Don't say no to medication though.)

We have a friend who completely went off the rails after Covid. There were other issues and he took himself off meds which didn't help but we've never seen him so bad. I do think Covid may have been a factor whether that was the actual virus or the stress of 2 years waiting for it.

Yes @secretoktober! I've had it twice (just getting over bout 2) and have felt like this both times. It's definitely worse this time. I don't suffer from depression usually, so it's unusual for me. I'm hoping it lifts when I feel normal again. I'm very tired and still having awful coughing fits at night, so I think the sleep disturbance is definitely contributing.

@secretoktober

Thanks everyone. *@s1h2o3na* that's really interesting about the inflammation and gut links. I had vomiting and upset stomach symptoms with covid so it has clearly messed with my gut (which seems to be one of my weak spots). I'm off sugar and alcohol anyway but will make sure to take some probiotics. What is the study you mentioned?

this is the current trial : atp-trial.uk/ and they have run other trials in the past eg. cambridge.crf.nihr.ac.uk/depression-trial-prompts-call-for-funding-boost/ . I think its such an interesting topic and am glad the research community is thinking in a more holistic way about managing depression. My GP still looked at me like I was mad (ha ha) when I said I managed to halve my medication after going dairy free!

Thanks everyone. Still feeling very down but slightly better. It does feel like a physical reaction to the virus rather than stress-related or linked to anything else.
@WarriorN thanks for the podcast recommendations. I will take a look. I was brewing kefir before covid hit - I'll see if I can revive it!
@Covidwoes hope you start sleeping better and feeling better soon. I had awful insomnia when I had covid - which is really unusual for me.
@s1h2o3na Thanksk for the trial link. That's great that you've been able to change things with diet

I remember being told after getting the flu back in the 1990s to be aware that I may feel depressed afterwards, so I'm thinking this is probably nothing peculiar about Covid.

@secretoktober I need to take my own advice; I've got serious anxiety today.

I too remember being really down after flu in the past.

And actually someone I spoke to today said she didn't really have physical symptoms but felt it really made her extremely down and emotional. And it didn't feel like just the isolation.

I think it may affect something like serotonin.?
As it causes insomnia too.