In a new study, researchers found that almost half of people testing positive for coronavirus have reported symptoms of depression.
The research was conducted by a team from Bangladesh, the United States, and Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in the UK.
In the study, the team did a survey of more than 1,000 Bangladeshi adults with coronavirus over the course of one month.
They found that a total of 48% of respondents experienced moderate to severe depression, with a higher prevalence in those with persistent symptoms, low family income and poor health status.
A fifth of those surveyed reported having persistent COVID-19 symptoms, the most common of these being diarrhea and fatigue.
Around a quarter of patients had attempted to self-medicate their symptoms with over-the-counter medicines, rather than contact health services.
The findings showed a high number of respondents suffering depression alongside their COVID-19 symptoms, particularly those who were more vulnerable.
The World Health Organisation has reported that mental health services across the world have been disrupted by the pandemic.
This study shows the pressing need for these services among those testing positive for the virus.
One author of the study is Professor Shahina Pardhan.
The study is published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
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