Anxiety, depression is associated with long Covid: Research

A Harvard study has found that anxiety, depression and lonliness may be associated wth the risk of suffering from Long Covid. The finding of the study conducted by researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. The study states that pre-infection psychological distress was associated with the risk of post Covid-19 conditions like Long Covid.

Notably, the study says, the susceptibility of people with psychological distress to Long Covid is independent of smoking habits, asthma, and other health behaviors or physical health conditions.

Long Covid refers to the long-term effects of the SARS-CoV-2, which causes coronavirus infection in the body. According to the US-based Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it includes a wide range of ongoing health problems, which can last for days, weeks, and even months after one is diagnosed Covid negative.

Fatigue, shortness of breath, problems in memory, loss of concentration, sleep issues, persistent cough, chest pain, trouble in speaking, muscle aches, loss of smell and taste, onset of depression and anxiety are some of the most reported symptoms of the long Covid.