Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global pandemic with significant morbidity and mortality. The Saudi government adopted mandatory home quarantine and curfew hours for all residents, excluding essential service workers. During the lockdown, the public's fear of infection can adversely impact mental health, causing psychological distress. The objective of this research is to assess frequency of depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) among the general population during COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised assessment test (OCI-R) in Arabic and English languages distributed via social media platforms. Chi-square test was used with significance determined at p<0.005. Results: We received a total of 2187 responses. Our results showed that being female, single, and unemployed had a higher frequency of suffering from depression whereas higher income levels and higher education was associated with less depression frequency. Increasing age, males, married individuals, higher income groups, higher levels of education and employed individuals were more likely to have OCD during COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic period is associated with significant mental health risks among the Saudi population. The results can provide further scientific support to better understand the impact of quarantine on psychological distress and mental health during emergency and disaster situations.

Obsessive-compulsive symptoms and the Covid-19 pandemic: A rapid scoping review

“…Severity of obsessive-compulsive symptoms were associated with perceived stress related to the pandemic. – ( AlHusseini et al, 2021 ) Saudi Arabia 2186 Non-clinical sample, online recruitment Adults, ≥18 years Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) Not stated 62.4 % of responders had an OCI-R score ≥21, suggestive of a diagnosis of OCD. – ( Albertella et al, 2021 ) Australia 878 Non-clinical sample, online recruitment Adults, ≥18 years Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R) May-June 2020 Problematic obsessive-compulsive symptoms increased during the pandemic.…”

“…AlHusseini and colleagues conducted an online survey in Saudi Arabia during lockdowns, using the OCI-R ( AlHusseini et al, 2021 ). There were 2186 respondents and the study was conducted in adults, recruited using social media platforms.…”

The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms in Saudi Arabia

“…A similar prevalence of OCD symptoms was reported in earlier studies conducted during the pandemic among the general population in Saudi Arabia with 62.4% and in Canada with 60.3% for obsessions, and 53.8% for compulsions, and a prevalence of 43% among medical students in Iraq. 9,15,16 Also, moderate/high perceived stress was reported in 84.9% of the Canadian general population and 85.2% of students in virtual classrooms in Saudi Arabia during the pandemic. 5,9 It is possible that we might also observe an increase in the number of OCD patients in the upcoming period.…”

“…25 Similarly, employees were found to have more OCD symptoms during the pandemic is Saudi Arabia and Canada. 9,16 Additionally, housewives were more strict about the protective measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission, which makes them more prone to having obsessions. 26 Students are expected to be negatively affected during the pandemic due to the sudden shift toward virtual learning, the quarantine, and the reduction in face-toface communication.…”

“…Responses range from "never" to "very often." Total mean scores of 0-13 indicate low stress, [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] Armonk, N.Y., USA). Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and categorical variables were expressed as percentages.…”