Impacts on and Care of Psychiatric Patients during the Outbreak of COVID-19

Abstract

The outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in December 2019 has led to massive lifestyle, economic, and health changes. The COVID-19 pandemic has had broad impacts on psychiatric patients, exacerbating symptoms such as psychosis, depression, and suicidal ideation. Therefore, we aimed to review the psychological impacts of COVID-19 on psychiatric patients and mental healthcare staff and provide practical guidance for medical staff and authorities. The main findings of this review included the impacts of COVID-19 on psychiatric patients and mental health professionals as well as the transformation of mental health care. Greater consideration should be given to the care of patients with psychosis and depression because of their lack of self-care ability, neurocognitive impairment, and impaired immune function. Depressive symptoms can be exacerbated due to several factors, such as economic crises, social isolation, and limited physical activity. Unemployment and financial problems can lead to an increased suicide rate. Consequently, mental healthcare workers’ workload can increase, which could lead to burnout and psychological symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. A transformation of psychiatric care is needed during the time of the pandemic. While emergency care should be maintained, outpatient care should be limited to decrease viral spread. Shifting care to telemedicine and community-based psychiatry can be helpful. Inpatient services should be adapted by tightening admission criteria, shortening the length of hospital stays, suspending some group activities, limiting visitors, and preparing for quarantine if necessary. Mental healthcare workers can be supported with telecommunication, appropriate work shifts, alternative accommodations, and good communication between the team leader and staff.

Were anxiety, depression and psychological distress associated with local mortality rates during COVID-19 outbreak in Italy? Findings from the COMET study

“…In addition, research has focussed on individual-level, sociodemographic and pre-existing clinical correlates associated with increased mental health burden ( Wang et al, 2020 ; Ruggeri et al, 2008 ; Carrà et al, 2014 ). We found comparable psychological distress rates and similar individual-level correlates (e.g., female gender, younger age, previous contacts with mental health services, unemployment, and financial dissatisfaction), as reported by several analogous surveys ( Hyland et al, 2020 ; Puangsri et al, 2021 ; Tracy et al, 2020 ; Crocamo et al, 2021a ). This general examination masks the very dissimilar experiences lived by people during the early stages of the pandemic, since they were differentially exposed to specific, local features.…”

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Healthcare Workers in Italy: Analyzing the Role of Individual and Workplace-Level Factors in the Reopening Phase After Lockdown

“…This is not a surprise considering that the financial cuts to the national health system left Italian health services with limited resources and personnel ( 8 ), and thus in a difficult position to face the pandemic effectively. This could also explain why the assignment to a new team and functions was associated with depressive symptoms in Italy but not, for instance, in a country such as Spain that, although close to Italy in terms of organization of services, did not experience the same lack of resources and personnel ( 36 – 38 ). When health services are understaffed, as in Italy, the changes of teams and functions are more frequent and stressful, and having a network of supportive colleagues at work becomes more critical to protect mental wellbeing ( 39 ).…”

Why Was the Perception of Human Rights Respect and Care Satisfaction So High in Users of Italian Mental Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic?

“…It should be emphasized that the research was conducted at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, where the fear of infection, the restrictive measures that prevented the normal inter-individual exchange and the alteration of the rhythms induced by the lockdown measures have caused a condition of stress, particularly for people with psychosocial disabilities [25,26]. The emergency condition has also reverberated in all health services, increasing barriers and making access to care problematic [27].…”