Introduction
This video is an introduction to the MACH series and the staff who have assisted in its development.
The full video series is included below. It covers:
- coping with the impact of physical symptoms after COVID-19
- problems with sleep
- low mood
- anxiety
- trauma reactions
- cognitive symptoms (such as memory and concentration problems)
Each video:
- explains the types of distress
- provides advice on how to cope in the early stages of your recovery
Persistent physical symptoms
This video discusses the common physical symptoms such as breathlessness and fatigue, and how these persistent symptoms can impact your day-to-day life. Information is provided on how to pace yourself in the management of fatigue, and also directs you to other helpful resources.
Sleep
This video discusses a common problem many people face since being hospitalised with COVID-19 – poor sleep. It explains why this can occur, and goes on to offer suggestions for how to improve sleep.
Tips include information on what is called sleep hygiene, and the suggestion of using a mindfulness exercise if you feel that your mind is too active to sleep. Information is also provided on other interventions aimed at improving more severe sleep problems, and how to seek further support.
Low mood
This video discusses feelings of low mood following being hospitalised with Covid-19, and why this can occur. It mentions difficulties such as:
- a lack of motivation
- feelings of hopelessness, frustration and low self-esteem
- the role that poor physical health can play in this
This video explains how low mood may influence your thinking and how you may choose to act, alongside physical issues which can occur such as tiredness and difficulty concentrating. Some strategies to improve your mood are suggested.
Anxiety
This video describes what anxiety is, where it comes from, and also includes some management techniques.
It is perhaps unsurprising that many people who were in hospital with COVID-19 report that they felt anxious at some point during their admission given that anxiety is common when we are in some kind of danger, or we feel unable to cope with a situation.
Trauma
This video explains what traumatic events are, the symptoms that people can experience due to this, and why these occur.
Traumatic events are very distressing experiences, often where there is a perceived high level of danger. For example, a threat to the person’s life or safety) and where the person feels overwhelmed or powerless to cope.
Some people’s COVID-19 related hospital admission may have been traumatic, therefore they are more at risk of experiencing common psychological reactions to trauma following discharge. This video discusses:
- memory, re-experiencing and avoidance
- the experience of strong emotions or of feeling disconnected from your body
If you feel that you require support with trauma symptoms due to your hospitalisation with COVID-19, please discuss this with your GP or contact the Mental Health after COVID Hospitalisation service.
Cognition
This video discusses difficulties with memory and thinking skills, which can be common after being hospitalised with COVID-19.
It discusses what these common difficulties can look like, and why they may happen. This video goes on to offer strategies to help with these difficulties, and suggests that you watch the ‘anxiety’ and ‘low mood’ videos if your mood has been impacted by cognitive difficulties.
Information for family, friends and carers
This video discusses the impact that having a loved one hospitalised with Covid-19 can have on family, friends and carers.
It encourages you to also look after your own wellbeing, with tips on how you can do this. This video includes a resource section which provides information on additional sources of support for people who have been impacted by Covid-19 hospitalisation.
Where to get further help
This video provides self-help and community resources that you can access for additional support.