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Long Covid

Long Covid

Long Covid describes ongoing symptoms that continue for weeks or months after an initial COVID-19 infection. Symptoms can vary significantly from person to person and may fluctuate over time, often impacting daily functioning, work, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. For some people, recovery can feel unpredictable and frustrating, particularly when symptoms are invisible to others or difficult to explain.

What does Long Covid look like?

People living with Long Covid may experience a combination of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms, including:

 

Physical symptoms

  • Fatigue or post-exertional exhaustion

  • Breathlessness

  • Headaches

  • Muscle or joint pain

  • Dizziness or palpitations

  • Sleep difficulties

 

Cognitive symptoms

Often referred to as “brain fog,” including:

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Memory problems

  • Slower thinking or processing

 

Emotional impact

  • Anxiety about health or recovery

  • Low mood or frustration

  • Loss of confidence or identity

  • Feeling isolated or misunderstood

 

Many people also notice that symptoms fluctuate, with periods of improvement followed by setbacks.

 

The impact of Long Covid

Long Covid can affect many areas of life, including:

  • Work and productivity

  • Family and relationships

  • Social activities and independence

  • Confidence in your body and health

 

People often describe grieving the loss of their previous energy levels, routines, or sense of self.

Understanding Long Covid

Long Covid is a genuine and recognised medical condition involving complex physical and neurological processes. Psychological support is not about suggesting symptoms are “all in the mind,” but about helping people cope with the very real emotional, cognitive, and behavioural impact of living with a chronic and unpredictable condition.
 

Stress, anxiety, and overexertion can sometimes worsen symptoms or slow recovery, particularly where the nervous system is already under strain.

How common is Long Covid?

  • Millions of people worldwide have experienced ongoing symptoms following COVID-19 infection

  • Symptoms can persist for months and, for some people, longer

  • Fatigue and cognitive difficulties are among the most commonly reported symptoms

(Recent research and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and NHS guidance, 2022–2024)

What treatment do we offer?

Support focuses on improving quality of life, managing symptoms, and supporting emotional wellbeing alongside medical care.

 

Assessment and personalised support

Therapy begins with understanding:

  • Your current symptoms and challenges

  • How Long Covid is affecting your life

  • Current coping patterns and stressors

Support is then tailored to your needs and energy levels.

 

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help to:

  • Manage anxiety linked to symptoms or recovery

  • Reduce fear and catastrophic thinking around setbacks

  • Develop balanced coping strategies

  • Address the emotional impact of chronic illness

 

Fatigue management and pacing may include:

  • Learning to manage energy more sustainably

  • Recognising patterns of overexertion and “crashing”

  • Developing realistic and flexible routines

 

Nervous system regulation approaches may involve:

  • Relaxation and breathing techniques

  • Mindfulness-based strategies

  • Reducing physiological stress and overwhelm

 

Emotional wellbeing support can also help with:

  • Grief, frustration, or loss of identity

  • Low mood or isolation

  • Building self-compassion during recovery

 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT supports:

  • Adjusting to uncertainty and fluctuating symptoms

  • Reducing the struggle against difficult experiences

  • Reconnecting with meaningful activities at a manageable pace

A compassionate note

Living with Long Covid can feel uncertain and exhausting, particularly when recovery is not straightforward. Many people struggle with the pressure to “push through” despite ongoing symptoms. With the right support, it is possible to develop a more manageable pace, reduce the emotional burden of symptoms, and improve overall wellbeing during recovery.

Further guidance and support

You may find these trusted resources helpful:

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