Will it ever go away? COVID—it really should be a four-letter word! And what about long COVID symptoms and cognitive effects? If you thought it was fading into the past, think again. Long COVID remains a significant concern, with new studies contributing to the growing body of research on its lasting effects.

One study examined persistent physical and neuropsychiatric symptoms in long COVID, focusing on severity and assessing risk/resilience factors like conscientiousness and neuroticism. Findings revealed high rates of depressive disorders (45.6%), generalized anxiety disorders (21%), sleep disturbances (76.3%), and reported cognitive changes (94.7%) Personality and neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals diagnosed with long COVID | BMC Infectious Diseases | Full Text. This research highlights the need for psychological interventions in treatment plans to address distress symptoms and cognitive decline.

A second study focused on post-COVID condition (PCC) symptom clusters and their impact on individuals returning to pre-COVID health. Researchers found that in 2021, 29.9% of the U.S. population reported long COVID symptoms, and 77.2% of those affected had not returned to their pre-COVID health within 8 to 60 weeks after infection Post-COVID Condition Risk Factors and Symptom Clusters and Associations with Return to Pre-COVID Health—Results from a 2021 Multi-State Survey | Clinical Infectious Diseases | Oxford Academic.

Long COVID is real, and its lingering effects cannot be ignored. Understanding symptom clustering may offer insight into PCC severity and improve management strategies for those who have yet to regain their usual state of health after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Providing compassionate care and staying informed about emerging research is essential in supporting those living with this condition.

Stay well and stay informed!