Health Tip of the Week, sponsored by Baton Rouge General: Are you more likely to have mental illness after COVID-19?

Did you know nearly one in five people diagnosed with COVID-19 is also diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder like anxiety, depression or insomnia within three months? But  the “why” is something researchers are working to uncover. New research found that a patient hospitalized for COVID-19 had a higher risk of psychiatric diagnosis than someone not requiring hospitalization and those recovering from COVID-19 were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder compared with someone who had the flu. Many survivors report a host of mental health issues, including sleep problems and distressing dreams, anxiety, memory issues, and even thoughts of death. Speak to a physician if you’re a COVID-19 survivor experiencing mental health issues.

Learn more about COVID, mental health and available resources.