Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 6, 2025

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
08:25

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

471

One-quarter of COVID-19 patients developed PTSD symptoms: A one-year longitudinal study

Luna Sun1, Zhilei Shang1, Lili Wu1

  • 1Lab for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China; The Emotion & Cognition Lab, Faculty of Psychology and Mental Health, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.

Psychiatry Research
|March 19, 2023
PubMed

Insights

COVID-19 survivors experienced a significant decrease in probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms one year after hospital discharge. However, female patients and those with respiratory issues faced a higher risk of chronic PTSD, necessitating psychological support.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Research
  • Psychiatry
  • Pulmonology

Background:

  • COVID-19 survivors often experience long-term physical and psychological effects.
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a recognized sequela of severe illness and hospitalization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal development of PTSD symptoms in COVID-19 survivors one year post-discharge.
  • To identify risk factors for chronic PTSD among COVID-19 survivors.
  • To examine the relationship between respiratory sequelae and PTSD development.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 329 COVID-19 survivors was followed for 12 months after hospital discharge.
  • PTSD symptoms were assessed at 3 and 12 months post-discharge.
  • Statistical analyses were performed to determine symptom changes and risk factors.

Main Results:

  • The cumulative incidence of probable PTSD decreased from 23.1% at 3 months to 4.3% at 12 months.
  • Non-severe COVID-19 patients showed improvement in all PTSD symptom clusters, while severe patients improved in re-experiencing and numbing symptoms.
  • Female sex and the presence of respiratory sequelae were identified as risk factors for chronic PTSD.

Conclusions:

  • While most COVID-19 survivors show improvement in PTSD symptoms over time, a subset remains at risk.
  • Respiratory sequelae and female sex are significant predictors of persistent PTSD.
  • Long-term psychological interventions are crucial for managing PTSD in COVID-19 convalescence.

Keywords:
COVID-19PatientsPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

More Related Videos

Developing Neuroimaging Phenotypes of the Default Mode Network in PTSD: Integrating the Resting State, Working Memory, and Structural Connectivity10:43

Developing Neuroimaging Phenotypes of the Default Mode Network in PTSD: Integrating the Resting State, Working Memory, and Structural Connectivity

Published on: July 1, 2014

15.2K
Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD08:29

Biomarkers in an Animal Model for Revealing Neural, Hematologic, and Behavioral Correlates of PTSD

Published on: October 10, 2012

16.1K

Related Concept Videos

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
79
Long-term Depression01:03

Long-term Depression

Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Calcium Ion Concentration Mechanism
If over...
2.6K
Traumatic Memory01:20

Traumatic Memory

Emotionally traumatic events often lead to memories that are exceptionally vivid and enduring, sometimes persisting with remarkable clarity throughout an individual's life. A classic example of this phenomenon is a person who survives a car accident. Even years later, they may recall every detail of the event with startling accuracy — the screeching of the tires, the jarring impact, and the acrid smell of burning rubber. Such vividness contrasts sharply with how an individual...
147
Anxiety: Overview01:18

Anxiety: Overview

Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
320
Panic Disorder01:27

Panic Disorder

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent and sudden minutes-long episodes of intense fear, known as panic attacks. These attacks may feel like heart attacks and often happen without warning or a specific cause. They can include symptoms such as rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, chest pain, trembling, sweating, dizziness, and a sense of helplessness. During a panic attack, individuals may feel as though they are experiencing a heart attack or are in a...
160
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
152