Symptom that people may experience in intimate moments
Coronavirus infection is not easy on our body in any manner. It may affect several organs and exhibit a wide range of symptoms. Some of these symptoms may linger on for a longer period post initial infection and may show up randomly. One of the common symptoms of long COVID is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can be triggered on several occasions, sometimes even in intimate moments.
How common is PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common mental disorder provoked by major psychological trauma. In some cases, it may lead to serious distress and disability. The condition is common in those infected with severe coronavirus or who have been hospitalized. About one-third of the COVID patients who develop severe coronavirus infection are at the risk of developing PTSD. Experts believe that getting severe is not only the reason which gives way to traumatic stress disorder. Patients are more petrified by the things taking place around them and how the situations turn out.
The symptoms that may be triggered during an intimate session
It may happen many times that the person may not show the symptoms of PTSD, but it is triggered by some physical activity. One of the most common activity is lying on the stomach for getting a massage or while getting physically intimate with someone. Lying on the stomach makes one recall the memory of the prone position, which was a common practice during severe coronavirus symptoms. After the infection when they repeat the same act they feel breathless and uneasy. The PTSD symptoms can make it difficult for people to breathe and perform their daily tasks with ease. They may sweat a lot and may suffer from muscle pain.
Why does this happen
Lying on the stomach sends the brain into fight or flight panic mode because that physical position might have been marked as trauma. Even witnessing others in the same position in the hospital gasping for breath can trigger the trauma and make things worse for them. Developing this kind of trauma from any specific unpleasant event is quite common. Even if you develop a stomach infection after eating a certain food, you may not want to eat it again, fearing that you may have to go through the same thing.
Read more: Coronavirus: Is there a way to know if you are an asymptomatic COVID carrier?
Who is the worst affected by it?
In general, the PTSD symptoms may affect anyone, but researchers have found out that healthcare workers are at a greater risk of developing the symptom as compared to other people. An Oxford study published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology found that 44 per cent of frontline staff were diagnosed with PTSD. Of all three-fourths of the cases of trauma was triggered by some other reasons, but one-third was clearly linked to the pandemic. Frontline workers spend most of their time in the hospital taking care of patients. It is one of the reasons why they are at greater risk. But those who have suffered from severe COVID may also suffer from the same.