A considerable number of
Covid survivors have experienced post-Covid sleeplessness, sometimes known as
“coronasomnia,” with concerns about the sleep-wake cycle, which has
impacted moods and triggered worry.

This has led the Institute of
Psychiatry, which has seen a spike in “coronasomnia” cases in recent
weeks, to compile data and investigate the causes. It is attempting to
determine whether Covid has a direct impact on the central nervous system
(CNS).

“Covid may have produced CNS
clouding, causing them to stay up all night.” “It could potentially
be steroid-induced psychotic behaviour, in which the need for sleep
decreases,” said Pradeep Saha, a consultant psychiatrist.

Several of their patients, across
all age categories, were complaining of “zig-zag sleep patterns, days
after recovering from Covid,” according to Amit Bhattacharya, director of
the Institute of Psychiatry. This implies they sleep one day and then go two days
without sleeping.

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“Panic attacks and acute
stress after the loss of a loved one to Covid could be the cause.”
Otherwise, even if the illness is mild or hasn’t impacted the lungs, it could
weaken the CNS to the extent where even little disruptions affect sleep
patterns.” Only comprehensive research would be able to determine whether
the virus had directly affected the CNS or whether coronasomnia was caused by
random steroid usage or any other factor, he added.

‘It takes three months for the
sleep cycle to normalise.’

Take the example of Arup
Chakraborty, a 56-year-old business executive who has tried practically
everything to help him fall asleep but to no avail.

“Every day, I tried working
out, listening to soft music, and sipping a glass of milk before bed.”
I’ve tried every method in the book, but it’s all been for naught. It’s been a
month since I’ve gotten back on my feet, but the sleep issue hasn’t gone away.
“Before Covid, I could fall asleep even on short trips,” he
explained. His wife Ananya, who was suffering from mild symptoms, has also been
unable to obtain a good night’s sleep. Similarly, for Pragya Chatterjee, a
32-year-old IT professional who has also experienced moderate symptoms during
the third wave, the daytime has become a nightmare. “I feel drowsy all the time
and can barely concentrate on my work. My head and body ache all the time,” she
said.

The sleep pattern normally takes
three months to normalise, according to Jai Ranjan Ram, a consulting
psychiatrist and co-founder of Mental Health Foundation. “After Covid,
insomnia is the most prevalent problem. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve been
seeing coronasomnia patients on a daily basis and advising them on sleep
hygiene practises to help them overcome it,” he added.

Also read: Experiencing postpartum insomnia? 5 ways to sleep better at night

The worry caused by a lack of
sleep, according to psychiatrist Siladitya Ray, increased coronasomnia.
“I’m seeing a lot of patients who are hyper-aware of their sleeplessness
now that they know Covid has such a long-term effect after recovery.” He
explained that “excessive lethargy creates paradoxical insomnia.”

Better awareness is needed,
according to Saha. “Post-Covid sleeplessness, sometimes known as
coronasomnia, might result in psychotic symptoms. People, on the other hand,
dismiss it as a small concern. Insomnia, if left untreated, can lead to heart,
renal, and lung problems.”