When do Covid blues become clinical depression? What are some early signs?
While you are in the thick of things, fighting off viral infection, it is normal to feel tired and headachy. “When you feel physiologically terrible, it can interfere with your mood,” Dr. Hosey said. “I would never diagnose somebody with a clinical depression in the acute phases of a Covid infection.”
But if your exhaustion and feeling of being overwhelmed persist for two to six weeks after your Covid infection and start to interfere with day-to-day activities or negatively affect your relationships with others, it could be a sign of depression, Dr. Hosey said.
Some people with depression may also experience persistent sadness, tearfulness, irritability, changes in appetite or weight, trouble thinking or concentrating, or feelings of immense guilt, worthlessness or hopelessness. Those with severe depression may think frequently of death and develop suicidal ideation, Dr. Hosey said.
What can you do to treat depression after Covid?
If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be experiencing symptoms of depression after a Covid infection, it’s important to talk to a medical or mental health professional. “Not everyone will need to see a psychiatrist to be evaluated for depression,” Dr. Al-Aly said. People can share what they are going through with their primary care doctor to get help as well, he said. “The most important thing is to seek help. And seek help sooner rather than later.”
Depression is not something you can typically shake off on your own, Dr. Hosey said. It can be tempting to use online resources and self-diagnostic screening tools and to order supplements that promise to calm Covid-related inflammation or repair your gut health. But many of these interventions are not reliable or backed by evidence.
It is a good idea to take stock of your diet, sleep and drug and alcohol use. Consuming more nutritious foods and setting up a good sleep routine, for example, may have a small positive impact on your mental health. Research suggests that exercise and meditation may also help heal the mind in some cases. But if behavioral changes don’t work, a professional can recommend therapy or medication, depending on your needs.
During the pandemic, access to telehealth and mental health services expanded, Dr. Hosey said. Several states now allow licensed psychologists to provide care to patients in other states that are part of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, or PSYPACT. That means you can more easily search for an in-person or online mental health provider even if there is a shortage of specialty care in your area, Dr. Hosey said.
