Connection of Suicidal Behavior with COVID-19: Clinical Cases

Abstract

The widespread spread of coronavirus infection has led to significant changes in people's lives. Prolonged isolation, fear of infection, frustration, boredom, all kinds of deficits, inadequate information, money losses and fear of stigmatization, as well as the disease itself - all these factors have had an impact on the emotional and physical well-being of people. The impact of the viral infection itself on the human body, as well as the perception of a new reality, in some cases, led to the formation of reactive, organic or exacerbation of existing chronic mental disorders. Persons with mental health problems are most susceptible to environmental influences and react acutely to rapidly changing circumstances. Often in critical situations, in a state of despair, patients see only one way to solve all problems voluntary retirement. In this article, we present clinical cases that are descriptive in nature and aimed at illustrating depressive experiences and suicidal behavior of patients in a crisis situation. When external circumstances were the reason for suicide attempts: loneliness as a result of restrictive measures, fear of infection or the disease itself, and the reason was a mental disorder that debuted earlier or reemerged as a result of a viral infection. We have presented three clinical cases. All patients suffered from a new coronavirus infection of varying severity and were treated in a psychiatric hospital, where they were transferred from an infectious diseases hospital or hospitalized directly in connection with suicidal actions. In each case, attention was paid to the organizational activities carried out. The described cases may be of interest to specialists not only of a psychiatric profile, but also doctors of other specialties who are part of multifunctional teams to assist patients with COVID-19.

Traumatization by information (clinician's view)

“…ощущение одиночества, неопределенности и неизбежности смерти (по информации, которую пациент почерпнул из интернета) в результате заражения новой коронавирусной инфекцией. Данный клинический пример ранее уже был описан [14], в настоящей статье он представлен с другого ракурса с целью демонстрации влияния СМИ на мироощущение пациента. Таким образом, современная медиареальность такова, что информация о каком-либо катаклизме доминирует над освещением всех остальных событий повседневной жизни, формирует зависимость потребителя от подобного рода информации, формирует эффект привыкания массового сознания к катастрофам, их неизбежности [4].…”