Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in Spain: comparison between community controls and patients with a psychiatric disorder. Preliminary results from the BRIS-MHC STUDY.

Solé, Brisa; Verdolini, Norma; Amoretti, Sílvia; Montejo, Laura; Rosa, Adriane Ribeiro; Hogg, Bridget; García-Rizo, Clemente; Mezquida, Gisela; Bernardo, Miquel; Martínez‐Arán, Anabel; Vieta, Eduard; Torrent, Carla

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.099

Cited by 75 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(49 reference statements)

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“…In addition, patients with BD reported high values in depression, anxiety, and psychological distress (measured with GSI) during lockdown. This was in line with previous studies in samples with severe mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (Carmassi et al 2020 ; González-Blanco et al 2020 ; Solé et al 2021 ). In comparison to healthy controls, individuals with severe mental illness reported less use of coping strategies, such as having a routine, social interactions, and a healthy lifestyle (Solé et al 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous studies evaluating psychiatric symptoms in individuals with severe mental illness including samples with BD have been published (Chang et al 2020 ; Costa et al 2020 ; Frank et al 2020 ; Hao et al 2020 ; Iasevoli et al 2020 ; Pan et al 2020 ; Riblet et al 2020 ; Solé et al 2021 ; Zou et al 2020 ). Rates of high perceived stress severity, anxiety, and severe depressive symptoms were significantly higher in psychiatric patients compared with controls (Frank et al 2020 ; Iasevoli et al 2020 , Solé et al 2021 ). In addition, patients reported on sleeping problems (Frank et al 2020 ) and fatigue (Zou et al 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A Spanish study by González-Blanco et al ( 2020 ) evaluated depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms as early responses to the pandemic and found that patients with severe mental disorders (bipolar and psychotic disorders) reacted to the lockdown restrictions with higher anxiety levels compared to healthy controls. Solé et al ( 2021 ) stated that lockdown had a higher psychological impact in psychiatric patients vs. controls and that psychiatric patients used less adaptive copings strategies to face the lockdown. Moreover, suicidality case reports as well as increased suicidality rates related to the COVID-19 pandemic because of fear and xenophobia have already been reported (Dsouza et al 2020 ; Mamun and Griffiths 2020 ; Sher 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychological symptoms during and after Austrian first lockdown in individuals with bipolar disorder? A follow-up control-group investigation

Dalkner

Wagner-Skacel

Ratzenhofer

et al. 2021

Int J Bipolar Disord

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Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, a global health crisis, has resulted in widespread socioeconomic restrictions including lockdown, social distancing, and self-isolation. To date, little is known about the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on patients with bipolar disorder as a particularly vulnerable group. Methods An online survey was conducted in Austria at two points of measurement (T1 April 2020 during the first lockdown vs. T2 May 2020 at post-lockdown). The sample comprises 20 patients with bipolar disorder (mean age = 49.4 ± 15.6 years) and 20 healthy controls (mean age = 32.7 ± 9.6 years). A 2 × 2 factorial design to compare two time points (T1 vs. T2) and two groups (patients vs. healthy controls) was used. Main outcome measures included the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) and a (non-validated and non-standardized) assessment to determine COVID-19 fears and emotional distress due to social distancing. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to assess the longitudinal association of COVID-19 fears/emotional distress due to social distancing during lockdown (T1) and psychological symptoms after lockdown (T2). Results At T1, results demonstrated higher scores in BSI-18 subscales depression, anxiety and global severity index as well as emotional distress due to social distancing in bipolar patients compared to controls. There was a significant time x group interaction in the BSI-18 subscale somatization showing a decreasing trend in patients with BD compared to controls. No time effects in BSI-18 subscales or COVID-19 fears/emotional distress due to social distancing were observed. Regression analyses showed that COVID-19 fears during lockdown predicted somatization, only in patients. Conclusions There was a connection between the lockdown measures and somatization symptoms observed in patients. When the first steps of easing the social restrictions in May 2020 took place, somatization decreased only in the bipolar compared to the control group. Higher COVID-19 fears during lockdown predicted later symptoms at post-lockdown. Long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic need further investigations to improve current therapeutic approaches and prevent fears and distress during lockdown in individuals with bipolar disorder in times of crisis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Psychological symptoms during and after Austrian first lockdown in individuals with bipolar disorder? A follow-up control-group investigation

Dalkner

Wagner-Skacel

Ratzenhofer

et al. 2021

Int J Bipolar Disord

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“… Asmundson et al (2020) found significantly higher levels of distress for COVID-19-related stress, danger and contamination fears, fears of socioeconomic consequences, compulsive checking and reassurance-seeking, and traumatic stress symptoms for anxiety-related disorders ( N = 700) compared to mood disorders ( N = 368). Hölzle et al (2020) and Solé et al (2021) reported higher depression, anxiety, stress ratings, and stress-related somatic complaints in patients with affective disorders and anxiety disorders compared to patients with substance-use, bipolar or psychotic disorders. In summary, evidence about the differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health between diagnostic groups of mental disorders is limited.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Psychological consequences and differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with mental disorders

Favreau

Hillert

Osen

et al. 2021

Psychiatry Research

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Objective : People with mental disorders might be differentially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on patients with various psychiatric disorders who were admitted to inpatient treatment. Methods : Five-hundred thirty-eight inpatients with mental disorders participated in a survey about psychological consequences of the pandemic between March-December 2020. We examined the perceived burden by restrictions and worries, changes in health care utilization, and helpfulness of coping strategies. Results : More than 50% reported any worsening of symptoms, 40% stated increased need of therapeutic support. High rates of symptom deterioration were observed for depressive symptoms (>55%), anxiety (>40%), and sleeping behavior (>40%). Treatment impairment was stated by 27.9%. Patients with anxiety disorders were less affected by contact restrictions compared with eating disorders and depression. Patients with anorexia nervosa and post-traumatic stress disorder experienced higher helpfulness by daily structuring than patients with depression. Discussion : About half of our sample of psychiatric patients experienced symptom deterioration due to the pandemic and about one quarter reported impairment of treatment modalities. Especially patients with eating disorders and depressive disorders were more frequently affected. The results indicate a needed improvement of treatment options during a pandemic.

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“…However, the relatively few studies exploring whether individuals with mental illness have experienced exacerbation during the pandemic have reached mixed results. While some have reported that the pandemic has caused deterioration of mental health, 8-16 others suggest a neutral effect 6,17-19 or even improvement in mental health among specific subgroups of patients. 14,20,21 This literature is, however, marred by several methodological limitations, including the use of non-random sampling, 10,11,16-20 self-reported diagnoses, 10,11,16,21 and a lack of information on those choosing not to participate, 6,8,12,13,15-21 which likely results in selection bias, reporting bias, and suboptimal generalizability of the findings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health of patients with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A questionnaire-based survey weighted for attrition

Kølbæk

Jefsen

Speed

et al. 2021

Preprint

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ImportanceIndividuals with pre-existing mental illness may be particularly vulnerable to the negative impact that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic seems to have on mental health. Most prior studies on this topic are limited by non-random sampling, lacking information on non-respondents, and self-reporting of mental illness. In the present study, we aimed to overcome these limitations via random sampling, acquisition of clinical and sociodemographic data on both respondents and non-respondents, and weighting of results informed by attrition.ObjectiveTo assess whether patients with mental illness experienced deterioration in mental health during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown of Denmark in the Spring of 2020.DesignA cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey coupled with sociodemographic and clinical data from the medical records of all invitees. The latter enabled analysis of attrition and weighting of results.SettingThe psychiatric services of the Central Denmark Region.ParticipantsA total of 992 randomly drawn patients diagnosed with mental illness in the psychiatric services of the Central Denmark Region prior to the lockdown responded to the online survey (response rate of 21.6%).ExposureThe four-week nationwide lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic (from March 11 to April 15, 2020).Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe online questionnaire included the 18-item Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), the five-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5), and 14 questions evaluating worsening or improvement in symptoms during the lockdown using the pre-pandemic period as reference. Perceived reasons for deterioration of mental health were also reported.ResultsThe weighted mean WHO-5 and BSI-18 scores were 38 and 28, respectively. A total of 52% of the respondents reported that their mental health had deteriorated during the lockdown, while 33% reported no change, and 16% reported improvement. The most commonly reported reasons for deterioration were loneliness, disruption of routines, concerns about coronavirus, less frequent contact with family/friends, boredom, and reduced access to psychiatric care.Conclusion and RelevanceMore than half of the patients with mental illness reported worsening of their mental health during the pandemic lockdown. There should be increased emphasis on ensuring both social and clinical support for individuals with mental illness during pandemics.KEY POINTSQuestionsDid patients with mental illness experience worsening of their mental health during the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown of Denmark in the Spring of 2020?FindingsOf the 925 respondents, 52% reported that their mental health had deteriorated during the lockdown, while 33% reported no change and 16% reported improvement. The most commonly reported reasons for deterioration were loneliness and disruption of routines.MeaningThese findings suggest that there should be increased emphasis on ensuring both social and clinical support for individuals with mental illness during the ongoing and potential future pandemics.

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Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown in Spain: comparison between community controls and patients with a psychiatric disorder. Preliminary results from the BRIS-MHC STUDY.

Cited by 75 publications

References 45 publications

Psychological symptoms during and after Austrian first lockdown in individuals with bipolar disorder? A follow-up control-group investigation

Psychological symptoms during and after Austrian first lockdown in individuals with bipolar disorder? A follow-up control-group investigation

Psychological consequences and differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with mental disorders

Mental health of patients with mental illness during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: A questionnaire-based survey weighted for attrition

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