Mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic associated with social isolation

Abstract

The 2019 coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) is a public health emergency of international concern, which poses a major challenge to mental health as a result of its unprecedented impact in this 21st century. Research in past epidemics has revealed a deep and wide range of psychosocial consequences at the individual and collective level. There are multiple associated psychological disturbances, ranging from isolated symptoms to complex disorders with marked impairment of functionality, such as insomnia, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, it is necessary for mental health services to develop strategies that allow them to react skillfully and provide support to health workers and the affected population so as to reduce the psychological impact as well as the development of psychiatric symptoms. The purpose of this reflection article is to show the possible consequences on the mental health of the population as a result of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological Impact on the Nursing Professionals of the Rioja Health Service (Spain) Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Virus

“…Since the start of the pandemic to 18 November 2020, 1,291,808 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Spain [ 3 ]. Healthcare workers have suffered enormous pressure with long work shifts, [ 4 ] inadequate conditions, high risk of infection, ethical dilemmas when allocating scarce resources to equally needy patients [ 5 ], lack of specific skills, frustration [ 6 ], social stigmatization, isolation, concern about spreading the virus to their families [ 4 , 7 ], lack of contact, and lack of social support [ 8 ]. These factors have forced many health professionals to make sensible changes in their daily lives that compromise their health and psychological well-being, as a consequence of physical and mental exhaustion [ 2 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…These factors can give rise to different levels of psychological pressure that can trigger health problems such as feelings of loneliness, helplessness, stress [ 12 ], anguish [ 9 ], anxiety [ 6 , 13 ], depressive symptoms [ 4 ], insomnia, denial, anger, fear, irritability, sleep disorders [ 2 ], burnout syndrome [ 5 ], and even risk of suicide [ 10 ]. This pressure exceeds the psychological and emotional limits of health professionals, increasing the risk of psychological suffering with a higher probability of developing the abovementioned mental disorders [ 6 , 11 , 12 ], in addition to vicarious traumatization related to compassion towards the patients cared for [ 14 ].…”

“…This pressure exceeds the psychological and emotional limits of health professionals, increasing the risk of psychological suffering with a higher probability of developing the abovementioned mental disorders [ 6 , 11 , 12 ], in addition to vicarious traumatization related to compassion towards the patients cared for [ 14 ]. Further, post-traumatic stress [ 5 , 15 , 16 ] can be a long-term consequence of this pressure [ 7 ].…”

“…According to studies in the first months of the pandemic, between 71% and 89% of health workers that were in high-risk situations, had suffered psychological symptoms [ 2 , 5 , 6 ]. About half reported depressive symptoms (50.4%) and anxiety (44.6%), respectively, whereas 34% reported insomnia [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In total, 34.4% of nurses and physicians claimed to have mild disorders, 22.4% had moderate disorders, and 6.2% had severe disorders [ 5 ].…”

“…About half reported depressive symptoms (50.4%) and anxiety (44.6%), respectively, whereas 34% reported insomnia [ 5 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In total, 34.4% of nurses and physicians claimed to have mild disorders, 22.4% had moderate disorders, and 6.2% had severe disorders [ 5 ]. This especially affected young women, which is consistent with previous pandemics [ 4 , 17 , 18 ].…”