Covid hospital patients ‘suffering from PTSD’, says study

A significant number of Covid-19 patients who are admitted to hospital later suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially if they required a ventilator during their treatment, a study suggests.

Researchers said patients could experience extensive symptoms of PTSD, including intrusive thoughts or imagery, waves of strong feelings, being easily startled, trying to “erase” memories, and avoiding talking about what happened.

The study was carried out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and published in the BJPsych Open journal. Some 13,049 survivors in the UK who had had suspected or confirmed coronavirus participated.

The study involved 147 people who were admitted to hospital but did not require a ventilator and 60 patients who were put on a hospital ventilator. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of participants reported breathing problems but did not need medical input, while 176 patients had breathing problems and had assistance at home.

Of those who required a ventilator, 35 per cent experienced extensive PTSD symptoms alongside 18 per cent of patients who were admitted to hospital without requiring a ventilator.

Even patients who did not have to go to hospital experienced symptoms of PTSD, the study suggests. Sixteen per cent of patients who were given medical help at home and 11 per cent who required no help at home but experienced breathing problems reported PTSD symptoms.

Overall, 41 per cent of all Covid patients in the study experienced at least one symptom to an extremely high degree. The most common PTSD symptom reported was intrusive images or “flashbacks”, such as of being on the intensive care ward.

In June last year, leading doctors warned that people who had been seriously ill with coronavirus should be screened for PTSD.

The Covid Trauma Response Working Group, led by University College London, highlighted research that showed that 30 per cent of patient who had suffered severe illness in past outbreaks had gone on to develop PTSD, as well as depression and anxiety problems.

Dr Adam Hampshire, of Imperial College London, who worked on the study which was carried out in May, said: “We can see that the pandemic is likely to be having an acute and lasting impact, including for a significant proportion of patients who remained at home with respiratory problems and received no medical help.

“This evidence could be important for forming future therapy and reducing the long-term health burden of this disease.”

Dr Adrian James, president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, added: “It is clear that Covid-19 can have serious mental health consequences.

"This virus isn't just a threat to our physical health, it also poses significant risks to mental health during and following the illness. Over 400,000 patients have been hospitalised from Covid in the UK and sadly there will be more to come.

"Many of those fortunate enough to survive their ordeal will experience a significant impact on their mental health.

"Effective and joined-up follow-up care must be provided after discharge and mental health services must be adequately expanded to treat increasing numbers of people with PTSD symptoms."