Maybe you’ve come down with the flu, COVID-19, a cold sore or shingles. Your physical symptoms start to get better but you’re still not feeling like yourself. You may not know that getting sick can affect more than just your body. It can also take a toll on your mental health and well-being.
You might feel down, tired or unmotivated after a viral infection. But if those feelings stick around, it could be a sign of post-viral depression.
It's important to know what to look for and when to get help for post-viral depression. That way, you can start feeling like yourself again.
What is post-viral depression?
"Post-viral depression is when you start to have depressive symptoms following a viral infection," said Gerardo Gomez Abundis, MD, an infectious disease specialist with Banner - University Medicine.
It happens because your body's response to the illness causes changes in your brain and nervous system. It could last for weeks or months and may be linked with long COVID.
You may not realize how much viral infections can affect your brain. “Viruses can interfere with the chemicals in your brain that control mood, memory and learning, like serotonin, dopamine and glutamate. Viruses can also cause your body to make things that attack your own brain receptors, leading to ongoing depression,” Dr. Abundis said.
How is post-viral depression different from typical depression?
While regular depression often comes from things like stress or life events, post-viral depression is different. With it, your body’s immune system may still be recovering. Being sick causes fatigue, inflammation and stress that affect your brain chemistry and how you feel emotionally.
What causes post-viral depression and who is more likely to get it?
"The main cause of post-viral depression is immune system changes. These changes cause chronic inflammation and disrupt neurotransmitter systems (chemical messengers in the brain) that affect your mood," Dr. Abundis said.
You may get post-viral depression after an infection with:
- COVID-19
- Flu
- Mono
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Emotional factors like these may also play a role:
- Stress from being sick
- Changes in your routine
- Feeling isolated
- Having less independence
You’re at higher risk if you:
- Have a history of mental health problems like anxiety or depression
- Have a chronic illness or a severe or long-lasting illness
- Took a long time to recover from the illness
- Had to get treatment in a hospital
- Have autoimmune problems
- Have certain genetic risk factors
What are the signs of post-viral depression?
"Symptoms are similar to those of typical depression,” Dr. Abundis said. But they often happen along with other symptoms from the virus, like feeling tired and having brain fog, anxiety or sleep issues.
Common signs include:
- Feeling down, hopeless, sad or not yourself for more than two weeks
- Not having enough energy to get things done
- Brain fog or trouble thinking clearly
- Trouble sleeping enough, or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite
- Feeling anxious, irritable or withdrawn
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Withdrawing socially
These signs might seem small at first, but they can get worse over time.
When should you seek help?
It's normal to feel a bit off after being sick. But if your mood and energy don’t get better after a few weeks, it's a good idea to talk to a health care provider.
"If you’re having depressive symptoms, especially after recovering from a viral illness, you should seek medical advice promptly," Dr. Abundis said. Getting help early can make a big difference in how you recover and can prevent long-term problems.
If you are having a lot of trouble with daily life, have severe depression or have thoughts of harming yourself, it's important to get help right away.
How is post-viral depression diagnosed and treated?
“To figure out if you have post-viral depression, your provider will evaluate your depression symptoms and ask about your illness,” Dr. Abundis said. They'll talk to you about how you're feeling, and they might do blood tests to check for signs of inflammation and other things that could be causing your symptoms, like vitamin deficiencies or thyroid issues.
Treatment may include:
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy
- Antidepressants or other medications
- Supporting your immune system
- Balancing neurotransmitters
- Meditation or breathing techniques
- Good nutrition
- Resting and getting enough sleep
- Gentle exercise like walking, yoga or stretching
- Connecting with friends, family or support groups
Your health care provider may also recommend more personalized ways to treat post-viral depression, focusing on the specific virus you had and how your body responded to it.
How can you prevent long-term mental health struggles?
Both physical and emotional recovery take time after a serious illness. It can help to:
- Ease back into your normal routine slowly
- Set small goals and be realistic about your recovery timeline
- Give your body and mind time to heal
- Check in on your mental health regularly and talk to your provider if symptoms return or get worse
The bottom line
“Awareness and understanding of post-viral depression are crucial, especially with viral diseases like COVID-19 and others," Dr. Abundis said. Recognizing what’s behind these symptoms can help you feel less alone and more likely to seek help.
Post-viral depression is real and it’s treatable. Don’t wait to get the support you need.
Reach out to your health care provider or an expert at Banner Health.
