Sudden onset panic disorder after Covid

[Asilisa76]

My son (18) has suffered from low
level anxiety on and off but nothing that has impaired his daily life. He had Covid about 5 weeks ago - very unwell and took 2 weeks to get out of bed. He hasn't looked right since and is extremely tired. 2 weeks ago out of nowhere he had a panic attack. He is now on a ssri which hasn't kicked in yet. He is very low and appears to be experiencing depression as well. I am very worried about him. A teacher at his school said she had heard of other people who are post viral suffering from similar. Has anyone had any experience of this ? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Covid can certainly seriously mess with your mood. If you Google you’ll find that being overly emotional in an unreasonable hair trigger kind of way can be a short and longer term symptom. I wonder if this layered on top of his pre-existing anxiety is what’s happening?
The acute mood issues last as long as all the other covid rubbish so maybe a good couple of months for some.

Thank you -I'm sure if your pre disposed it makes it more likely. Just such a sudden deterioration.

SSRI's can make you feel much worse when you first start taking them, it can be very rough. They can particularly affect people under the age of 25 in terms of increasing anxiety and depression for a while and you should keep a close eye on him along with regular Dr's appointments whilst the medication takes effect.

Please look up PANS PANDAS. There is the PANS PANDAS UK charity website and there is a Facebook support group.
Neuroinflammation, neuropsychiatric symptoms etc.
We have two children with long Covid and PANS PANDAS from Covid and strep.

Yes, this can happen with covid. I'm sorry your son is struggling.

www.webmd.com/covid/news/20230602/anxiety-your-brain-long-covid#:~:text=Those%20with%20long%20COVID%20who,aren't%20a%20complete%20surprise.

For a database of studies on covid, try here:
www.zotero.org/groups/5006109/covidstudies/library

PANS/PAnda website as PP has suggested.

Also might be worth checking on longcovidkids website or their Twitter/X threads for people in same position (I know it's not counted as LC, but there may be other parents that have experience of this).

Just want to repeat what @GoodVibesHere says about young people starting on SSRIs. Have a read of the leaflet in the box and keep an eye on him- if you are worried go back to the doctor.
I hope he feels better soon.

Thank you all for replies much appreciated