The effects of the pandemic on mental health in persons with and without a psychiatric history

Abstract

Background Prospective studies are needed to assess the influence of pre-pandemic risk factors on mental health outcomes following the COVID-19 pandemic. From direct interviews prior to (T1), and then in the same individuals after the pandemic onset (T2), we assessed the influence of personal psychiatric history on changes in symptoms and wellbeing. Methods Two hundred and four (19–69 years/117 female) individuals from a multigenerational family study were followed clinically up to T1. Psychiatric symptom changes (T1-to-T2), their association with lifetime psychiatric history (no, only-past, and recent psychiatric history), and pandemic-specific worries were investigated. Results At T2 relative to T1, participants with recent psychopathology (in the last 2 years) had significantly fewer depressive (mean, M = 41.7 v. 47.6) and traumatic symptoms (M = 6.6 v. 8.1, p < 0.001), while those with no and only-past psychiatric history had decreased wellbeing (M = 22.6 v. 25.0, p < 0.01). Three pandemic-related worry factors were identified: Illness/death, Financial, and Social isolation. Individuals with recent psychiatric history had greater Illness/death and Financial worries than the no/only-past groups, but these worries were unrelated to depression at T2. Among individuals with no/only-past history, Illness/death worries predicted increased T2 depression [B = 0.6(0.3), p < 0.05]. Conclusions As recent psychiatric history was not associated with increased depression or anxiety during the pandemic, new groups of previously unaffected persons might contribute to the increased pandemic-related depression and anxiety rates reported. These individuals likely represent incident cases that are first detected in primary care and other non-specialty clinical settings. Such settings may be useful for monitoring future illness among newly at-risk individuals.

Mental Health Problems During COVID-19 and Attitudes Toward Digital Therapeutics

“…For GAD, the following factorsfemale sex, younger age (20-29 years), currently being treated for medical or surgical disease -were demonstrated to be significantly predictive. For major depressive disorder, factors such as younger age (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29), female sex, currently being treated for medical or surgical disease, change in the amount of time spent on mobile device or computer after the COVID-19 pan-demic, change in the household income due to COVID-19, change in the work environment due to COVID-19 (being on paid leave) -appeared as predictive factors. For significant level of stress, female sex was shown as a predictive factor.…”

“…In fact, it is known that prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders were higher for women even before the pandemic. 46 Younger age (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29) was shown as a predictor of GAD and major depressive disorder. Participants from age 20 to 29 were 3.05 and 6.11 times more likely to have major depressive disorder and GAD, respectively.…”

“…In conclusion, the findings of our study demonstrated that the COVID 19 pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of the participants. Predictive factors, such as younger age (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29), female sex, currently being treated for medical or surgical disease, change in the amount of time spent on mobile device or computer after the COVID-19 pandemic, change in the household income were identified to be associated with mental health problems. It is important therefore to develop support strategies that target the most vulnerable population based on these factors.…”

“…Unlike most of the previous studies, our study only included participants without previous history of being treated or diagnosed for mental illness. Results from logistic regression studies that include participants with previous history of mental illness can reflect predictive factors for the mental illness [ 25 ], regardless of whether it appeared during or before the pandemic. Therefore, we focused on incident cases of mental illness and on finding predictive factors for mental health problems that appeared during the pandemic.…”

Mental Health in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Worldwide Perspective

“…In particular, a high prevalence of mental exhaustion, burn-out syndrome, and insomnia/sleep disorders has been found in healthcare workers [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. In disabled people and in those with pre-existing mental health problems, an increased risk of interruption to long-term treatments has been observed, associated with relapses or symptoms worsening, as well as with a higher risk of being infected with COVID-19 [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ].…”