Psychologist reveals how common viral infection can cause depression and thoughts of death

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According to the psychologist, a severe form of the flu, as well as its complications, can cause depression, panic attacks, and even suicidal thoughts in the patient.

Influenza is an acute respiratory viral disease that primarily affects the upper respiratory tract, and even the bronchi, and sometimes the lungs. It stands out among acute respiratory infections in humans due to the possible severe course of the disease.

People who have had severe influenza may feel apathy, powerlessness, sadness, and unwillingness to live. Panic attacks are also possible.

– These are all signs of depression. Also, the general condition and the recovery process are affected by toxins released by the virus. They not only have a destructive effect on the immune system and internal organs, but can also affect the central nervous system, – said the doctor.

In addition, the mental state of a person who has had a serious flu infection can be affected by the medications used to treat it.

After a viral disease, an asthenic syndrome is formed, with characteristic symptoms:

• fatigue,
• excessive irritability,
• sleep disturbances,
• decreased memory and performance.

There are medications that affect the CNS, the specialist emphasized. First, everyone's mental stability is different. Secondly, we must not forget that people may have a predisposition to mental illnesses, and the activator for their development may be a chemical effect on the CNS, that is, medications.

If the situation is acute, the question is between life and death, then the doctor will always choose to save the person. The risk of consequences from certain medications may not be taken into account. Sometimes patients engage in self-medication without realizing the consequences.

What are the possible complications after the flu?

The virus can affect any organs and systems:

• urinary (nephritis, pyelocystitis),
• nervous (encephalitis, meningitis),
• heart (myocarditis, pericarditis).

There may be bacterial lesions of the ENT organs (otitis, sinusitis), the most dangerous of which is secondary pneumonia.

Complications of the flu:

• headache;
• cough;
• fever;
• shortness of breath;
• dizziness;
• hyperemia of the skin, cyanosis of the nasolabial folds triangle