“Brain fog” after COVID-19 recovery may indicate PTSD

According to a new report, prolonged “brain fog” and other neurological symptoms after recovery of COVID -19 are post-traumatic stress disorders that are observed effects of past human coronavirus outbreaks such as SARS and MERS. (PTSD) may be the cause.

People who recover from COVID-19 may have prolonged loss of concentration, as well as headaches, anxiety, malaise, and sleep disorders. Patients may be afraid that the infection will permanently damage the brain, but researchers say this is not always the case.

In a paper co-authored by Andrew Levine, MD, a clinical professor at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine and a neuropsychologist, and Erin Kaseda, a graduate student at Rosalind Franklin School of Medicine in Chicago, Historical data About former coronavirus survivors Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS).

The paper was published in Clinical neuropsychologist..

“The idea is to raise awareness among neuropsychologists that PTSD is something we want to consider when assessing the persistent cognitive and emotional difficulties of COVID-19 survivors,” Dr. Levine said. Said.

“When we look at someone for a neuropsychological test, we expect them to speak at their best,” Dr. Levine said. “If we identify Psychosis During the evaluation, if the symptoms of the symptom seem to interfere with the best performance, it is recommended to treat it first and retest once controlled. “

If the cause of the symptoms is partial, but in a mental state such as PTSD, treatment can help manage those symptoms and give a clearer picture of the underlying brain problem.

“If cognitive complaints and neuropsychological test deficiencies still remain after they have been treated and hopefully some relief from their psychiatric symptoms, it is more than something else is happening. It’s proof of that, “said Kasada. “It is important to fully address the literature that emerges to ensure that we have the latest information that these survivors are beginning to present. Neuropsychological examination.. “

Kasada began pursuing this question based on his experience working with patients. Mild traumatic brain injury, Concussion, etc. “If these symptoms last months or years after the first injury, it’s much more likely that it’s due to the presence of a mental illness,” she said.

A review of data from outbreaks of SARS and MERS showed that those survivors were at increased risk of PTSD. For COVID-19, symptoms of PTSD can occur in response to invasive measures required to treat the patient, such as intubation and ventilation. , This can be traumatic for scary patients. Delirium also causes hallucinations in patients with COVID-19, and memories of these horrific sensations continue to plague patients who have recovered.

In addition to hospitalized patients, front-line healthcare providers can be similarly affected by the constant stress and fear they face in the workplace. Also, for some, the anxiety of overcoming a pandemic, being isolated from friends, and fighting constant fear of invisible threats can have a similar impact on thinking and memory skills. ..

Diagnosis of PTSD may not sound good news, but there are many treatments available for this disorder, such as psychotherapy and medication. By comparison, researchers are still working to understand the direct neurological effects of COVID-19. “Treatment options (of COVID) are still evolving, so it’s still a long way to go,” Kasada said.

“We still don’t know anything from the survivors of COVID-19,” Kasada said. “Until that data is available, it is very difficult to say what percentage of real patients will have cognitive complaints due to the direct effects of the virus, medical intervention, or psychiatric concerns. ”