The potential impact of COVID-19 on psychosis: A rapid review of contemporary epidemic and pandemic research

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak may profoundly impact population mental health because of exposure to substantial psychosocial stress. An increase in incident cases of psychosis may be predicted. Clinical advice on the management of psychosis during the outbreak needs to be based on the best available evidence. We undertook a rapid review of the impact of epidemic and pandemics on psychosis. Fourteen papers met inclusion criteria. Included studies reported incident cases of psychosis in people infected with a virus of a range of 0.9% to 4%. Psychosis diagnosis was associated with viral exposure, treatments used to manage the infection, and psychosocial stress. Clinical management of these patients, where adherence with infection control procedures is paramount, was challenging. Increased vigilance for psychosis symptoms in patients with COVID-19 is warranted. How to support adherence to physical distancing requirements and engagement with services in patients with existing psychosis requires careful consideration. Registration details: https://osf.io/29pm4.

Adherence to safety and self-isolation guidelines, conspiracy and paranoia-like beliefs during COVID-19 pandemic in Poland - associations and moderators

“…Studies have shown that there is a great possibility of a surge of stress and psychological suffering due to COVID-19. People at higher risk of mental problems may respond with the first onset of psychiatric symptoms or relapse ( Brown et al, 2020 ; Kelly, 2020 ; Pfefferbaum & North, 2020 ). For instance, the recent case report suggested that the severity of delusions may significantly increase in the context of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in patients with schizophrenia ( Fischer, Coogan, Faltraco, & Thome, 2020 ).…”

The impact of COVID‐19 on an early intervention in psychosis service

“…There does not appear to be an acknowledgement or apprehension about dealing with an increased incidence or exacerbation of psychosis, in keeping with the existing literature on mental health issues during the COVID‐19 pandemic, which has been primarily focussed on depression and anxiety 2–5 . There is a clear gap in existing literature about the relationship between COVID‐19 and psychosis, despite concerns that psychosis is likely to represent a significant proportion of the psychiatric burden of the COVID‐19 pandemic 6 …”

“…The current body of literature regarding the relationship between COVID‐19 and psychosis is presently limited. A recent review, 6 looking at the impact of previous viral epidemics and pandemics on the incidence of psychosis, states that studies reported increased incidence of psychosis in people infected with a virus, in the range 0.9–4%. The diagnosis of psychosis was associated with viral exposure, treatments used to manage the infection, and psychosocial stress.…”

COVID‐19 and the psychopathology of patients in an EIP service: a case series

“…A recent rapid review of the impact of epidemics and pandemics on psychosis reported incident cases of psychosis in people infected with a virus ranging from 0.9% to 4%. Psychosis diagnosis was associated with viral exposure, treatments used to manage the infection, and psychosocial stress 6 …”