Dealing with Post Covid making depression worse, anyone else?

@mamafluh, such a good discussion to initiate. I added it to Post-COVID Recovery group too as I think other members are likely dealing with the mental and emotional side effects of long-haul COVID too, whether depression is new or something they've dealt with previously too. I'm inviting @doodleslb @lynn1954 @mandi92 @hawaii17 and others to this discussion.

Mamafluh, it's a vicious circle. Lack of sleep worsens depression and vice versa. Taking care of your mental health is not new to you, although the additional challenges of post-COVID syndrome are. Have you been able to draw on your past experience of dealing with mental health to tackle the new challenges?

I'm just getting worse and worse w anxiety and depression over Covid issues. Have a great psychiatrist, but still getting agoraphobic. ...sigh...

I am now being treated for PTSD as well as bipolar. More medications. I don't know what state you are in, but where I live, I go to the mall and walk around to "feel" the energy of others in this time. Isolation is a problem and definately more depressed than ever.

I have tried to use the things I learned from my DBT classes but have had very little luck. It's extremely hard to focus on anything when in the kind of physical pain I am experiencing. It's extremely exhausting, just adding to both my mental health and sleep issues. I feel like my brain is finding it difficult to understand what my body is going through. I have so many different types of pain, things I've never had to go through before. I'm at my wits end. I feel like my mental health doctors are the only ones concerned. I feel the rest of my doctor's have hung my out to dry. I'm tired of getting up every time crying having breathing problems.

I live in the country in Minnesota and the weather is treacherous here, no way too cold to go outside. I go to Walmart in town when I can get a ride. I haven't been able to drive in years.

My daughter is in Minneapolis. I am in SC. I believe as of tonight they are under yet another mask mandate. After 2 years of wearing masks, she has had it. She is coming to see me next week and I believe she may be looking to relocate somewhere other than Minnesota. I would not be able to stay somewhat sane if I lived there. Prays and hugs going out to you today.

It’s good to hear your mental health doctors are concerned. That’s important.

@mamafluh I too am glad that your mental health team is listening to you and working with you.

Did you know that lack of sleep (sleep deprivation) can cause auditory hallucinations? You say in your original post that you hadn't slept for two nights because of pain. I just wanted to put that out there because only a mental health professional could help you figure out if the auditory hallucinations are due to bipolar disorder or lack of sleep. Like @colleenyoung said lack of sleep makes depression and anxiety worse and then depression and anxiety makes getting to sleep and staying asleep worse. It's a cycle. I've experienced that and it's so difficult Does this sound like something you are experiencing?

When I've been very depressed and anxious I went outside. I got out of my house if only in the yard and a little ways up the street. I took short walks. That helped a lot. If you feel up to it you could try going into a grocery store or any other store that feels comfortable to you. When I bought something at the grocery store and exchanged greetings with the cashier that helped me feel better. Does this sound like something that you could try or might work for you too?

I can relate. I have had Covid 2 xs now with an auto-immune disorder & had Lyme Disease in between the 2. I worked in Healthcare - got sick from working w/ Covid pts & haven't been able to work for 15 months. I was recovering when whamo I got Covid again in September & it turns out to be long haul type with extremely bad Chronic Fatigue and my brain is mush. No one seems to completely understand which makes it worse because it adds stress and depression. The lack of support is tough to take.

Yes! The lack of support is devastating. Thank you so much for doing all you could as a healthcare professional.

A brain of mush is a good explanation of how we feel.

Combine chronic pain w general anxiety disorder, lack of focus and concentration, feeling agoraphobic because of Covid--we are ALL suffering PTSD right now.

I got a new service dog for PTSD and I'm not letting anything or anyone stop me from having her accompany me everywhere. 🐕‍🦺