A growing number of individuals have symptoms persisting beyond acute Covid-19 infection. This is known as the long Covid syndrome characterized by cognitive changes among other symptoms. In my master thesis I have investigated participants' perceived cognitive changes, with the aim to describe the cognitive changes perceived following Covid-19 infection, and how these changes are exhibited and experienced by participants. The study used qualitative methodology that involved interviews based on Research Domain Criteria (RDoC). The interview included questions on several cognitive processes, including perception, attention, declarative memory, language, cognitive control and working memory. From elaborate descriptions of perceived symptoms, the results showed that cognitive impairment was perceived in every cognitive process that was probed. All participants (f = 15) perceived attention, memory and goal directed behaviour deficits, and nearly everyone (f = 14) perceived impairments in language abilities. Perceived deficits were a major cause of distress, decreased functionality and declining mental health in participants. Decreased ability of emotion control and changes in perception of self were also prominent experiences that have negatively affected participants’ wellbeing. The results indicate the debilitating effect participants perceived after Covid-19 on their cognitive abilities. The results present a starting point for developing screening procedures, interventions and treatments for individuals, in facilitation of which psychologists with expert knowledge of cognition and mental health should have a crucial role.
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