Covid-19 patients ‘suffer PTSD’

COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital can suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly if they require a ventilator, new research suggests.

Those admitted to hospital can suffer extensive symptoms of PTSD, according to the study, including intrusive thoughts or imagery, waves of strong feelings, being easily startled, trying to “erase” memories and avoiding talking about what happened.

The research, in the journal BJPsych Open from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, was based on 13,049 survivors in the UK who had suspected or confirmed coronavirus.

Of these, 3,466 (27%) reported breathing problems but had not required medical input, 176 (1%) had had breathing problems and had assistance at home, 147 (1%) were admitted to hospital but did not need a ventilator, and 60 (0.5%) were put on a hospital ventilator.

The study found that 35% of those put on a ventilator experienced extensive PTSD symptoms alongside 18% of patients who were admitted to hospital without requiring a ventilator.

Extensive symptoms of PTSD were also found in patients given medical help at home (16%) and patients who required no help at home but experienced breathing problems (11%).

Overall, 41% of all patients experienced at least one PTSD symptom to an extremely high degree.