Lot of people’s lives have been changed due to Covid-19. For some the symptoms have remained persistent for years and months. Long Covid can be debilitating, and people often struggle with changes and adjustment to life. Often people do start to make a recovery, for others this process may be slowed making recovery timescale uncertain.
Vita Health Group are working alongside physical health professionals to provide better support to patients with long covid.
Treatments offered include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which has been shown to be effective at reducing symptoms of low mood, anxiety and other emotional problems commonly reported with long covid.
Living with Long Covid can often lead to symptoms of depression and anxiety. Common signs and symptoms include:
- Feeling low most of the time and reduced interest or pleasure in once enjoyable activities.
- Excessive worry
- Strong negative feelings towards persistent physical symptoms
- Feeling alone and isolated with long covid
- Avoiding or being unmotivated to use self-management strategies
How can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) help?
CBT techniques focus on improving symptoms of anxiety and depression, which in turn can help alleviate diabetes related distress.
CBT uses strategies to help people improve their quality of life and self-manage their diabetes.
Some of the key areas you might address in therapy, may include:
- How CBT can help with self-management of persistent symptoms of long covid
- How mental health symptoms and physical health symptoms link together.
- Managing triggers and warning signs.
- The fight or flight response.
- Managing anxiety provoking thoughts.
- Relaxation techniques.
- How to recognise and manage worry and overthinking.
- The role of safety behaviours, avoidance and withdrawal behaviours.
- How to include rewarding activities in your week and overcome barriers.
- Developing self-compassion.
- How to stay well and how to maintain the strategies learned.
Improvements can include:
- Increase energy levels
- Improved quality of life
- Improved relationships
- Improved self management of fatigue, pain, and breathlessness
- Improve self control and self efficacy
Useful resources
https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/i-think-i-have-long-covid/effects-on-your-body/breathlessness/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpgDwCDXCCw
https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/post-hospital/effects-on-your-mind/managing-your-worries/
https://www.physiotherapyforbpd.org.uk/test-your-breathing/
https://livewellwithpain.co.uk/
Some of the key areas you might address in therapy, may include:
- How CBT can help with the self-management of IBS.
- How mental health and IBS symptoms link together.
- How to manage trigger and warning signs.
- How to recognise and manage worry and overthinking.
- The fight or flight response and managing anxiety provoking thoughts.
- Relaxation techniques.
- Activity scheduling (strategies of how to include more rewarding activities within your week).
- The role of safety, avoidance and withdrawal behaviours, and strategies to overcome them.
- How to develop self-compassion.
How to stay well and how to maintain the strategies learned.
Useful links
- IBS Network: https://www.theibsnetwork.org/
- Guts UK: https://gutscharity.org.uk/
Living Well with IBS Course
The Living Well with IBS course is a 6-week course which includes CBT techniques to manage symptoms of anxiety and/or depression that is experienced as a result of living with IBS. Each session is 1 ½ hours long and occurs weekly. This course is currently delivered online via MS Teams.
This course includes the following topics:
- How CBT can help with the self-management of IBS, how mental health symptoms and physical health symptoms link together, managing trigger and warning signs.
- How to recognise and manage worry and overthinking.
- The fight or flight response and managing anxiety provoking thoughts.
- Relaxation techniques and activity scheduling (strategies of how to include more rewarding activities within your week).
- The role of safety, avoidance and withdrawal behaviours including strategies to overcome them.
- Developing self-compassion. How to stay well and how to maintain the strategies learned.
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