One of the most increasing difficulties I hear about at My Online Psychologist is the psychological impact of Long Covid.

 

The biological mechanisms surrounding long covid are not fully known, but the psychological symptoms include brain fog. Brain Fog consists of a number of symptoms including forgetfulness, fatigue, difficulty with decision making, concentration and multi-tasking. At My Online Psychologist our aim is to help with these symptoms.

 

There is no cure that works for all sufferers of Long Covid. This is why, when someone contacts me at My Online Psychologist who has long covid, I often assist them alongside the Long Covid Clinic in Guildford (www.longcovidclinic.com – even though their website may be a little out of date (I’m not even on there….), the clinicians there are very up to date with their research). Working with these clinicians, our aim is to help you with these symptoms.

 

Helping with the psychological symptoms of Long Covid is three-fold. One is improving one’s energy management. The second is gaining an acceptance of where one is at that moment in their recovery. The third is bringing in some compensatory strategies to assist with certain difficulties whilst they are prevalent.

 

Energy management work often involves working alongside a physiotherapist. However, this is also monitored in psychological therapy sessions too.

 

Acceptance work often includes utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with an online psychologist. Acceptance and Commitment therapy is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The aim is to help someone accept their current situation and work towards living by the values that are most meaningful to them. Unlike goals, values can always be lived by, even on a hospital bed. Acceptance of long covid is tricky. However, when someone focuses their efforts on fighting the brain fog, the outcome is often not what they wish – the brain fog does not pass and they soon experience burnout.

 

Compensatory strategies are part of the acceptance process in long covid psychological treatment at My Online Psychologist. The aim is work round the symptoms, not to cure them. In simplest terms, this is like using a diary if our memory is not the best. For long covid sufferers, if fatigue is a significant difficulty then we work on improving sleep, taking regular breaks, breaking tasks up, doing one task at a time, working in environments that are less cognitively stimulating, bringing in compassion when we cannot do things to the level we used to, being assertive with others when they expect more than we can do at that moment.

 

I’d like to say the treatment is easy but it is often not. It can be frustrating at times, and disappointment can be part of the journey. However, if one can learn to live alongside these emotions, whilst going towards meaningful, fulfilling activities then progress can occur.  Our aim at My Online Psychologist is to help work with you through the process, to help you move forward.

 

Online therapy incorporating online CBT or ACT is a really helpful medium to have therapy whilst experiencing Long Covid. Sessions can be in the comfort of your own home meaning the getting ready, journey time etc is eliminated. This enables you to have more energy to focus on other activities that matter during the rest of the day.