Fear, Anxiety, Stress, and Depression of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic Among Patients and Their Healthcare Workers – A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Purpose Disease pandemics are known to cause psychological distress. The ensuing mental health issues are not only restricted to the patients and their relatives/friends but affect the healthcare workers (HCWs) as well. Our study aims to assess these psychological trends during the COVID-19 pandemic between the two most affected population groups, that is, patients and frontline healthcare workers. Patients and Methods A survey questionnaire, including scales to assess fear, anxiety, stress, depression – PSS 10, and DASS 21, was distributed and sent to all COVID-19 suspected/confirmed individuals and healthcare workers at a tertiary care center along with a second visit after 14 days of answering the first questionnaire and this continued as follow-up. Data were analyzed with the SPSS version 23 using various tests of significance. Results In the community, COVID-19 patients in the age group 41–50 with respiratory tract symptoms and those who were home isolated/quarantined experienced a greater tendency of mental health problems. Healthcare workers posted in COVID-19 designated areas of the hospital displayed higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Conclusion The high degree of uncertainty associated with novel pathogens has a profound effect on the psychological state of suspected/confirmed cases as well as healthcare workers. Within the community, individuals suspected of having COVID-19 display a significant mental health burden, while HCWs also experience an unprecedented amount of stress, anxiety, depression and fear during such enduring situations.

Bibliometric visualisation of industrial and organisational psychology during COVID-19 pandemic: Insight for future research

“…Health care workers’ mental health problems increased because of irregular working hours, higher levels of exposure to illness, fear of infection and lack of adequate PPE, amongst others (World Health Organization, 2021 ; Yang et al, 2021 ). Anxiety and depression were mental health problems frequently experienced, with insomnia, sleeping disorders and burnout as risk factors (Chen et al, 2021 ; World Health Organization, 2021 ), and these are often reported by workers who work with COVID-19 patients (Parchani et al, 2021 ; Vagni, Maiorano, Giostra, & Pajardi, 2020 ; Van Roekel et al, 2021 ). During this pandemic, traumatic stress in health care workers was also related to moral injury, because they were often facing difficult conditions in making decisions (Litam & Balkin, 2021 ), especially those with clinical responsibility (Parthasarathy et al, 2021 ).…”

Mental Impact of COVID-19 – Fear, Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Sequels

“…The early months of pandemic had the higher reported prevalence of stress with a significant proportion of individuals reporting being upset due to things happening unexpectedly, inability to overcome difficulties in daily life, and anger at things being outside their control. Among suspected patients, those with history of travel to areas with ongoing community transmission were found to display greater stress [15]. Patients who are kept in isolation and quarantine experience significant levels stress as well [2].…”

“…Socio-demographic variables play a key role in determining the level of anxiety in healthcare workers with higher prevalence among those above the age 40, females, unmarried individuals and presence of offspring [38]. Anxiety in this group manifests as palpitations, tremors, dryness of Mental Impact of COVID-19 -Fear, Stress, Anxiety, Depression and Sequels DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.102754 mouth, feeling scared without any reason and tendency to panic [15]. These symptoms are more prevalent in workers who were assigned duties in COVID designated areas and those who encountered SARS-CoV2 suspected or confirmed patients without adequate protection [5].…”

Biased Social Comparison in the Moment of Crisis

“…Information about COVID-19 has been shown to induce threat, stress, depression, and anxiety (e.g., Parchani et al, 2021; Salari, et al, 2020), which can subsequently trigger a defensive reaction in an effort to reduce negative emotional states and regain a feeling of control (Kellstedt, et al, 2008; White & Dillon, 2000). Believing that you respond according to medical recommendations more than other people serves this purpose very well.…”