Worsening of Preexisting Psychiatric Conditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: To ascertain factors associated with worsening of psychiatric conditions during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.Methods: This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worsening of their preexisting psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. An independent clinical investigation of 318 psychiatric patients from United States was used for verification.Results: Valid responses mainly from 12 featured countries indicated self-reported worsening of psychiatric conditions in two-thirds of the patients assessed that was through their significantly higher scores on scales for general psychological disturbance, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression. Female gender, feeling no control of the situation, reporting dissatisfaction with the response of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced interaction with family and friends increased the worsening of preexisting psychiatric conditions, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends, and using social media like usual were associated with less worsening. An independent clinical investigation from the United States confirmed worsening of psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic based on identification of new symptoms that necessitated clinical interventions such as dose adjustment or starting new medications in more than half of the patients.Conclusions: More than half of the patients are experiencing worsening of their psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Examining the Predictors of Resilience and Work Engagement during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Besides its highly contagious nature, the exponential growth of COVID-19 cases has resulted in public panic, thereby heightening individuals' stress levels. Gobbi et al [16] contended that the increasing anxiety and depression caused by the pandemic could ham-per workers' productivity. Stress-related reactions in response to the pandemic may include decreased concentration, nervousness, irritability, restlessness, reduced productivity, and interpersonal conflicts [17].…”

“…Resilience is also pivotal to coping with stress and vital to staying in balance, most especially during the COVID-19 pandemic [17]. Gobbi et al [16] noted that identifying specific risk and resilience factors is essential in developing effective tactics to ease the negative psychological impact of COVID-19. Some of the attributes of resilient employees are enthusiasm, optimism and hope, a high degree of autonomy, self-awareness and emotional literacy, flexibility and adaptability, a sense of purpose, and the ability to develop a sense of meaning from difficult and challenging situations [24].…”

Social Isolation During COVID-19 Pandemic. Perceived Stress and Containment Measures Compliance Among Polish and Italian Residents

“…In terms of mental health, it leads to depression, anxiety, suicidality, personality disorders, psychoses, and deterioration of cognitive functions (Cacioppo et al, 2011;Wang et al, 2017;Zorzo et al, 2019;Chu et al, 2020). Recent studies confirm that current longterm health threats and imposed deprivation of social contacts associated with a feeling of lack of control lead to a significant increase in mental health issues in the global population (Gobbi et al, 2020). Other risk factors for the deterioration of mental condition involve female gender, younger age, and lack of approval for the policy of the country toward the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Czego dowiedzieliśmy się o COVID-19 w 2020 roku? 10 hipotez wyjaśniających różnice w zachorowalności i śmiertelności z powodu COVID-19 między krajami

“…Furthermore, focusing on COVID-19 cases, many health professionals had to abandon their previous obligations with severe limitations of direct patient-doctor contact. Apart from the current issues related to the pandemic, there is a need to sustain the proper level of medical care in the whole system: efficient oncological diagnostics (7% decrease of fast-track oncological cards in Poland in 2020 vs 2019) [15], cardiological services (15% decrease of myocardial infarction hospitalizations in Greater Poland region in 2020 vs 2019) [16], brain stroke management (25% decrease in stroke patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy in Lesser Poland region in January-May 2020 vs January-May 2019) [17], and managing an observed deterioration of the population's mental health are expected to be major significant challenges for the following months of the ongoing pandemic [18].…”