Symptom cluster
Mood and neuropsychiatric symptoms
Depression, anxiety, and sleep changes with biological roots. Not simply a reaction to being unwell. This page covers: Depression, Anxiety, Elevated neuropsychiatric risk (incl. reported suicidality), Insomnia / sleep disruption, Post-traumatic stress (esp. post-ICU).
What causes it
The leading explanations, each with its evidence grade and audit status.
Neuroinflammation / microglial activation produces Depression.
Gut-serotonin axis produces Depression.
HPA-axis / circadian cortisol dysregulation produces Depression.
Neuroinflammation / microglial activation produces Anxiety.
What has been tried
No treatment is approved. Each row shows how strong the evidence is, what it was measured on, and any safety or conflict flag.
Antidepressants / SSRIs relieves Depression.
Treat the biological substrate (anti-inflammatory, sleep, POTS, pacing) manages Elevated neuropsychiatric risk (incl. reported suicidality).
CBT / CBT-I (supportive) manages Insomnia / sleep disruption.
Mood symptoms are predicted by neuroimmune pathways. Supportive CBT is well-founded; curative-framed CBT carries the manufactured-authority and contraindication flags.