Oxford, UK - One in three coronavirus sufferers experienced subsequent mental health problems in a new study that compared Covid-19 with other respiratory illnesses.

Lancet Psychiatry journal published a study on Tuesday which found that patients with Covid-19 were more likely to have neurological or psychological problems as compared with people with similar infections.

About one-third of the overall people studied experienced neurological or mental illness within six months of being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Researchers also found a 44% higher risk of anxiety disorders and mood swings after coronavirus than with other similar viruses, like the flu.

"Covid-19 is followed by significant rates of neurological and psychiatric diagnoses over the subsequent six months," said co-author Max Taquet of Oxford University.

"Brain disease and psychiatric disorders are more common," he added.

The research team noted that the exact reasons are still unclear and that longer-term data is needed.

236,000 patients were analyzed through digital data, most of whom were treated in the US.

The most common diagnoses in the post-coronavirus patients studied were anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and insomnia. In a few rare cases, some patients suffered from a stroke or brain hemorrhage.

It's important that social and mental health services are put into place "to deal with this anticipated need," the researchers said.

The consequences of isolation from lockdowns and quarantines have caused anxiety and depression to rise during the pandemic.

Past studies have found a connection between other neurological diseases and respiratory infection, but Covid-19 and its variants are relatively new to science data.

The Oxford researchers pointed out that although it is clear mental illness has climbed, more research is needed about post-Covid effects on brain health.