Greater Emotional Distress Due to Social Distancing and Greater Symptom Severity during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Individuals with Bipolar Disorder: A Multicenter Study in Austria, Germany, and Denmark

Abstract

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health of individuals with bipolar disorders (BD) is potentially more vulnerable, especially regarding COVID-19-related regulations and associated symptomatic changes. A multicentric online study was conducted in Austria, Germany, and Denmark during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, data from 494 participants were collected (203 individuals with BD, 291 healthy controls (HC)). Participants filled out questionnaires surveying emotional distress due to social distancing, fear of COVID-19, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 to assess symptom severity at four points of measurement between 2020 and 2021. General linear mixed models were calculated to determine the difference between the groups in these pandemic specific factors. Individuals with BD reported higher distress due to social distancing than HC, independently of measurement times. Fear of COVID-19 did not differ between groups; however, it was elevated in times of higher infection and mortality due to COVID-19. Individuals with BD reported higher psychiatric symptom severity than HC; however, symptom severity decreased throughout the measured time in the pandemic. Overall, individuals with BD experienced more distress due to the COVID-19 situation than HC. A supportive mental health system is thus recommended to ensure enhanced care, especially in times of strict COVID-19-related regulations.

Impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on patients with bipolar disorder in Japan

“…The COVID‐19 pandemic has impacted patients with various psychiatric disorders, including increasing the prevalence of depressive symptoms 1 . In particular, patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have been reported to experience stronger psychological distress than healthy controls or patients with other psychiatric disorders 2–4 . In patients with BD, the lockdown was found to worsen manic and other symptoms 4,5 .…”

“… 1 In particular, patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have been reported to experience stronger psychological distress than healthy controls or patients with other psychiatric disorders. 2 , 3 , 4 In patients with BD, the lockdown was found to worsen manic and other symptoms. 4 , 5 However, curfew restrictions in Japan have not been as strict as those in Western countries.…”

“… 2 , 3 , 4 In patients with BD, the lockdown was found to worsen manic and other symptoms. 4 , 5 However, curfew restrictions in Japan have not been as strict as those in Western countries. 6 Here, we investigated the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on Japanese patients with BD.…”

Influences of COVID-19 Work-Related Fears and Anhedonia on Resilience of Workers in the Health Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Further, Schönthaler et al (2022) showed COVID-19 fears to be elevated in clinical and non-clinical samples in times of higher infection and mortality during the pandemic.…”

“…In particular, we investigated the bidirectional connection between resilience, COVID-19 work-related fears, and anhedonia within WHS. While previous studies focused on the impact of resilience within psychiatric patients (Dalkner et al 2021;Fleischmann et al 2022;Schönthaler et al 2022;Min et al 2013), patients with chronic diseases (Buscetta et al 2022;Kim et al 2019;Sbragia et al 2022;Tso et al 2020), and cancer Seiler and Jenewein (2019), as well as child development, Masten and Reed (2002), the application of resilience concepts to the workplace is relatively new. Without the burden of a pandemic situation, King et al (2016) had already discussed the necessity of including resilience, a thus far overlooked concept into today's organizations.…”