COVID raises risk of mental health problems

Psychological stress from the pandemic may be widespread, but those who had COVID-19 are at much higher risk for new mental health problems than individuals who have managed to avoid the virus, according to a new study. Researchers compared nearly 154,000 people who survived at least a month after a SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis to more than 5.6 million peers without prior COVID infections. Over the course of one year, infection survivors were at 35% higher risk of new anxiety disorders, 39% higher risk for new depressive disorders, 55% higher risk for new use of antidepressants, 34% higher risk for a new opioid use disorder, and 20% higher risk for a new non-opioid substance use disorder.
Source : Reuters