Working with Bipolar Disorder During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Both Crisis and Opportunity

Abstract

Beyond public health and economic costs, the COVID-19 pandemic adds strain, disrupts daily routines, and complicates mental health and medical service delivery for those with mental health and medical conditions. Bipolar disorder can increase vulnerability to infection; it can also enhance stress, complicate treatment, and heighten interpersonal stigma. Yet there are successes when people proactively improve social connections, prioritize self-care, and learn to use mobile and telehealth effectively.

Psychological symptoms during and after Austrian first lockdown in individuals with bipolar disorder? A follow-up control-group investigation

“…Much like Stefana et al ( 2020 ) and Youngstrom et al ( 2020 ), we are convinced that every crisis could be an opportunity by learning and rethinking and therefore gaining a more in-depth understanding of BD patients’ special needs during the pandemic.…”

“…In psychiatric samples, lockdown measures including temporary shutdown of medical and mental health treatment and the disrupted rhythm of a healthy life, such as reduced opportunities to exercise, experience sunlight exposure, and participate in meaningful activities, could pose a special risk or relapse during the pandemic (Muruganandam et al 2020 ; Youngstrom et al 2020 ). Hao et al ( 2020 ) confirmed that patients with psychiatric disorders experienced more psychiatric symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Accordingly, it is suggested that patients with BD exhibit more serious COVID-19-related symptoms (Stefana et al 2020 ) and that they are at increased infection risks due higher prevalence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive pulmonary disease (Staudt et al 2019 ; McIntyre et al 2007 ; Vancampfort et al 2013 ; Vancampfort et al 2016 ; Zareifopoulos et al 2018 ). There are already recommendations for patients with BD for the time of the COVID-19 pandemic to decrease the vulnerability, such as proactively improving social connections, prioritizing self-care, and learning to use mobile and telehealth effectively (Stefana et al 2020 ; Youngstrom et al 2020 ). However, more multidisciplinary research on COVID-19 effects on severe symptoms of BD is needed to accomplish a consequent establishment of prevention strategies for psychiatric COVID-19 consequences (Courtet et al 2020 ; Holmes et al 2020 ).…”

The Collateral Impact of COVID-19 Emergency on Neonatal Intensive Care Units and Family-Centered Care: Challenges and Opportunities

“…The COVID-19 global health crisis is a disaster; however, it can also be an opportunity (Stefana et al, 2020c ; Youngstrom et al, 2020 ) to improve health care systems and services by including an increased number of NICU staff members, adequate resources and training, and improved visitation policies for family members of hospitalized infants. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a widespread and substantial shortage of NICU medical and nursing staff (Rogowski et al, 2013 ; Gagliardi et al, 2016 ; Bliss, 2017 ) the current crisis has highlighted.…”

COVID-19 and mental health: A review and the role of telehealth and virtual reality

“…[28] Finally, these subjects are likely to face a double stigma stemming from their mental and health problems. [27] We need to reconsider novel ways to facilitate access to therapeutic interventions for this patient population. Faceto-face visits could be replaced by telehealth solutions that facilitate assessment, monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment, including issuing prescriptions.…”