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Covid

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Original poster

Covid and depression

20 replies

Covidwoes · 19/02/2022 21:34

I've had Covid twice. The first time was in the third trimester of pregnancy in November 2020. The second was 3 weeks ago. Since the second bout (which was a lot worse than a mild cold in my case. Am fully vaccinated) I now feel like I have this depressed feeling that I can't shake. I don't usually suffer from depression. All other Covid symptoms have now gone. Has anyone else has this? Today has been a particularly bad day.

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MrsOatcake · 19/02/2022 22:23

I was depressed, or maybe distressed is a better word, for a short while. It was mostly the thought of causing others to self-isolate.
It took a few months to sleep properly. For you, It’s probably a perfectly rational response to having been ill and missing out on things and not being able to do things. Having it it previously in the third trimester before vaccination must have been horribly stressful so perhaps it has brought back the memory. I’m sure you will feel better soon.

gingerhills · 19/02/2022 22:38

I have mild depression post Covid (caught it about two weeks ago.) It is clearing a bit. I think it's a by-product of having zero energy, so unable to do fitness classes, long walks, had to cancel theatre, dinner with friends, a gig etc so understandably feeling pretty low. I keep seeing friends on FB doing amazing things and all I've done for two weeks is watch TV.

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 05:16

@MrsOatcake I felt guilty the first time about causing others to isolate, as at the time close contacts had to isolate for 2 weeks! I didn't feel guilty this time though as quite honestly so many of us had it (I'm a teacher) it didn't make a difference.
@gingerhills I can't do most of those things anyway as I have young kids, so it's definitely not that! I also felt so ill, I wasn't bothered about isolating (unusual for me, as I enjoy being out and about). Seeing people having fun honestly didn't bother me, as I felt too ill anyway.

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Cattitudes · 20/02/2022 05:34

Could it be partly because you have hadit twice. Generally with illnesses we expect you have it once or have the vaccine and that is you done. Covid kind of breaks that model of illnesses, although obviously we get other colds/flu more than once we lump them altogether as colds/ Flu. It is kinda depressing that despite having had it once and having had the vaccine you are still quite so ill. Of course it could also be a biochemical imbalance. Have you been to the GP?

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 06:31

@Cattitudes yes I have. They were helpful in some ways, but dismissive of Covid as the cause of it. Yes it could be having it twice I guess. It was much more than a 'mild cold' both times too. However, I'm physically fine now (had a wisdom tooth removed last week, but that has been planned for ages, and is getting better) so I don't know why I feel like this! I find my life exhausting in general being a working mum, but I've only had this specific feeling since having Covid. Today I just want to stay in bed all day and not speak to anyone, but I have to get up and be there for my kids.

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Cattitudes · 20/02/2022 07:03

Can you plan a quiet day? If you have a dp send them out to get some easy/ treat food. Curl up on the sofa watching a film. Are you back in school tomorrow or is this the start of half term? Get lots of vitamins and fruit.

bumblingbovine49 · 20/02/2022 07:22

Apparently you can be more prone to depression after Covid. It is a known side effect

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-catching-coronavirus-increases-the-chances-of-depression-study-suggests-12543913

I imagine this might be true for other illnesses as well but maybe they just haven't studied them in the same way

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 07:24

On half term this week, but DH working all week and I have the kids, so no break for me. Cant watch a film as there isn't really anywhere for DH to take them all day in this weather. I have asked DH to do everything I normally do on a Sunday - make all 3 meals for the kids and clean bathrooms as a minimum! That'll defo help.

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bumblingbovine49 · 20/02/2022 07:24

I'd speaks to your GP again and point out the research. Things are being learnt about Covid so quickly it is difficult to keep up

Cattitudes · 20/02/2022 09:16

I was actually thinking of bunging a film on for the dc, but maybe save that for mid week if he can look after them today. One of the things that tends to go is planning so see if he can plan meals/ an activity a day for the coming week. You need to strike a balance between rest to let your body recover and maybe gentle exercise- e.g. walk around the block every morning even when you don't want to so that you don't sink further down.

Cattitudes · 20/02/2022 09:18

And by planning meals I mean get easy ready meals in.

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 09:22

Ah thanks @Cattitudes. My 3 year old won't watch films unfortunately! She can just about manage a 20 min Julia Donaldson animation, but that's it, and the 12 month old is in that moving all over the place but not yet walking stage! My 3 year old was a terror yesterday, but they're good kids overall. I'm just so tired. Got lots of lovely activities planned with the kids this week, but nothing for myself as i have them all day, and in the evenings I just want to go to bed. I keep telling myself it'll get easier as they get older!

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Dilbertian · 20/02/2022 09:29

It is known that depression can happen as part of any post-viral recovery, not just after Covid.

Like most post-viral recovery phases, it will usually pass if you pace yourself and give yourself time to recover. In the 21st century we are not used to the concept of 'convalescence'. We have to re-learn it.

Dilbertian · 20/02/2022 09:31

It will get easier as they get older!

Even without post-Covid to contend with, the toddler-and-baby phase is exhausting and can be totally emotional draining. Add in Covid and it would be supporting if you were NOT feeling like this.

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 09:47

Thanks so much @Dilbertian. I honestly feel so guilty for feeling this way sometimes, as I have two lovely kids, a nice home, a DH who treats me well etc. This actual feeling of depression though is alien to me, so I'm pretty sure it's Covid. The GP I saw said this was 'very unlikely' which didn't fill me with much confidence.

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Millicent2022 · 20/02/2022 10:00

@Covidwoes

Thanks so much *@Dilbertian*. I honestly feel so guilty for feeling this way sometimes, as I have two lovely kids, a nice home, a DH who treats me well etc. This actual feeling of depression though is alien to me, so I'm pretty sure it's Covid. The GP I saw said this was 'very unlikely' which didn't fill me with much confidence.

Yeah it’s def Covid , I am feeling low in terms of mh and physical health still (had it two weeks ago)

Also keep wanting to drink wine to self medicate and make my bunged up sinuses go away which isn’t helpful !

Take it easy and go with the flow - it will pass , do things to look after yourself are you taking vit D/ getting outside ? Xx

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 10:14

@Millicent2022 sorry to hear you're feeling the same way. I take a Vit D supplement every day, so I'm guessing my levels are fine! Not been outside as much as hoped this week due to the weather. It's windy and rainy yet again here today.
I am also craving alcohol (again, not like me as I don't usually drink much!) but can't as I'm taking an antibiotic called metronidazole which makes you really ill if you drink alcohol.
Hopefully the Covid fog will lift for us both soon. 🤞

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Dilbertian · 20/02/2022 10:36

Can't help wondering whether the GP did not look past the toddler-and-baby aspect. BTW the last sentence of my post was meant to be "Add in Covid and it would be surprising if you were NOT feeling like this."

One of the worst things about depression is the way you can sink into a spiral of unhelpful, self-blaming thoughts. If you had a broken leg in plaster you would feel that your helplessness was perfectly justified, but with depression and fatigue you feel like you can't justify your behaviour. But you can: you are still recovering.

Rest whenever you can, even if you're not shattered. Though, realistically, being shattered is part and parcel of having littlies! But I mean that you don't have to justify resting. I find listening to audio books very soothing, especially as I struggle to concentrate on reading right now.

Millicent2022 · 20/02/2022 10:44

[quote Covidwoes]@Millicent2022 sorry to hear you're feeling the same way. I take a Vit D supplement every day, so I'm guessing my levels are fine! Not been outside as much as hoped this week due to the weather. It's windy and rainy yet again here today.
I am also craving alcohol (again, not like me as I don't usually drink much!) but can't as I'm taking an antibiotic called metronidazole which makes you really ill if you drink alcohol.
Hopefully the Covid fog will lift for us both soon. 🤞[/quote]
I wonder if alcohol craving is a symptom !

Yes the storms don’t help - we were without power for 12 hours , nightmare lol !

Original poster

Covidwoes · 20/02/2022 17:57

Thanks @Dilbertian. I think you're right. People hear baby and toddler, and assume that's why you're knackered. It most definitely is, but not at this level.
@Millicent2022 12 hours! Eek! We were very lucky we didn't lose power.

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