Long Covid’s Mental Health Issues Draw HHS Response 2023
A Biden administration effort introduced Wednesday focuses on long-term Covid users’ mental health.
The Biden administration’s Health and Human Services Department links lengthy Covid to anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, tiredness, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The HHS wants to improve mental health diagnosis and treatment for long-term Covid patients.
Long-term COVID can cause physical and mental health issues. “It can be very challenging for a person, whether they are impacted themselves or they are a caregiver for someone who is affected,” HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said.
He added this recommendation raises awareness, especially among primary care practitioners and doctors that deal Long COVID patients.
The agency produced an advice listing long Covid’s mental health issues and symptoms to help physicians treat and diagnose individuals. It also provides primary care clinicians with mental health information and recommendations for psychotherapy and peer support groups.
Doctors struggle with therapy and understanding it.
Long Covid may damage mental health owing to social isolation, financial security, and chronic sickness, according to HHS. Long Covid can be harsher for minorities and LGBTQ people due to their neighborhood, job, and access to treatment, according to the recommendation.
KFF data shows fewer people experience lengthy Covid symptoms. That number was little over 10% in January. Nearly 20% of US individuals experienced long Covid symptoms in 2022, according to the CDC.
The HHS Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration guideline also revealed that those with a history of worry, stress, loneliness, and depression before being diagnosed with Covid were at increased risk for long-term Covid.
The advice indicated about 40% of persons with extended Covid developed depression six months after Covid-19 symptoms began. 35% of adults experienced anxiety at half-year.
“Providers need help understanding Long COVID and how to treat it,” HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Rachel Levine stated.
“People with Long COVID need to be properly identified and, as needed, referred for treatment for mental health conditions,” stated SAMHSA chief Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon.
Long Covid critics say the Biden administration’s approach isn’t transparent or rapid enough. Levine said that the HHS will commence extended Covid clinical studies later this year.
