Assessment of Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Headaches Before and After the Onset of Long COVID: A Case-Control Analysis in the Entire Population of Stockholm Region - Report - MDSpire

Assessment of Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Headaches Before and After the Onset of Long COVID: A Case-Control Analysis in the Entire Population of Stockholm Region

  • By

  • Sebastian Lindblom

  • Pia Lindberg

  • Gunnar Ljunggren

  • Seika Lee

  • Marta A. Kisiel

  • Iryna Kolosenko

  • Predrag Petrovic

  • Myrto Sklivanioti Greenfield

  • Caroline Wachtler

  • Artur Fedorowski

  • Åsa M. Wheelock

  • Axel C. Carlsson

  • November 14, 2025

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Assessment of Depression, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Headaches Before and After Long COVID

Overview

This study investigates the prevalence of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and headaches in individuals with and without long COVID in the Stockholm region. Findings indicate significant differences in mental health symptoms before and after long COVID diagnosis, highlighting the complex interplay between mental health and long COVID.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant number of individuals experiencing long COVID, characterized by persistent symptoms beyond 12 weeks post-infection. Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are frequently reported in long COVID literature, impacting patients' quality of life. Understanding the relationship between preexisting mental health conditions and long COVID is crucial for effective clinical management.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the provided source.

Key Findings

  • Long COVID affects 10-30% of individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2.
  • Preexisting mental health conditions may increase the risk of developing long COVID symptoms.
  • Depression, anxiety, fatigue, and headaches are common symptoms reported in long COVID patients.
  • The prevalence of these symptoms was assessed before and after long COVID diagnosis.
  • Understanding the trajectory of mental health symptoms is essential for developing treatment strategies.

Clinical Implications

Expand on practical implementation of early identification in clinical settings.

Conclusion

The study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues in patients with long COVID, as these conditions can significantly affect recovery and quality of life.

References

  1. BMC Medicine, 2025 -- Prevalence of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and headache before and after long COVID onset: a case–control study in the total population of Region Stockholm
  2. Infection, 2025 -- Links Between Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Long COVID Incidence in Depressed Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis
  3. Infection, 2025 -- Post-COVID-19 Condition: Beyond Persistent Symptoms, Structured Assessments Highlight Two Distinct Clusters Related to Health-Related Quality of Life
  4. Open Forum Infectious Diseases, 2025 -- Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes Two Years Post Mild to Moderate SARS-CoV-2 Infection During the Pre-Omicron Period
  5. Long COVID Clinical Guidance | Long COVID | CDC, 2025
  6. BMC Psychiatry (Springer) — Trajectories of symptoms in the acute phase of COVID-19 infection and their association with anxiety and depression 2 years after infection
  7. Long COVID Clinical Guidance | Long COVID | CDC
  8. Prevalence of depression, anxiety, fatigue, and headache before and after long COVID onset: a case–control study in the total population of Region Stockholm | BMC Medicine | Full Text
  9. Evaluation of Interventions for Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Trials | JAMA Neurology | JAMA Network

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