ABSTRACT
Background: The emergence of Corona virus disease (COVID-19) and wide-spread counter-measures, such as quarantine and social distancing, can have a significant impact on mental health of individuals. Methods: This online study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for acute psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid. n=1077 participants from Europe were screened a second time during May 15th to May 30th to longitudinally ascertain the persistence of psychological effects. Results: Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable factors associated with increased acute psychological symptoms during COVID-19. The same factors, in addition to, being related to someone who demised due to COVID-19 and using social media more than usual predicted persistence of psychological disturbances. Optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends like usual, positive prediction about COVID-19, and daily exercise predicted fewer acute and persistent psychological symptoms. Conclusions: Females, psychiatric patients, and individuals with previous exposure to trauma are at increased risk of being persistently psychologically affected by COVID-19.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Wounds and Injuries , Virus Diseases , COVID-19 , Sexual Dysfunctions, PsychologicalABSTRACT
This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worsening of their pre-existing psychiatric condition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Valid responses mainly from 12 featured countries indicated self-reported worsening of psychiatric conditions in 2/3rd of the patients assessed that was validated through their significantly higher scores on scales for general psychological disturbance, post- traumatic stress disorder, and depression. Female gender, feeling no control of the situation and reporting dissatisfaction with the response of the state during the COVID- 19 pandemic, and reduced interaction with family and friends increased the worsening of pre-existing 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 USA confirmed worsening of psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic based on identification of new symptoms that necessiated clinical interventions such as dose adjustment or starting new medications in more than half of the patients.
Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder , Mental Disorders , COVID-19 , Stress Disorders, Traumatic , Sexual Dysfunctions, PsychologicalABSTRACT
This study anonymously examined 2,734 psychiatric patients worldwide for worseningof their pre-existing psychiatric condition during the COVID-19 pandemic. Validresponses mainly from 12 featured countries indicated self-reported worsening ofpsychiatric conditions in 2/3rd of the patients assessed that was validated through theirsignificantly higher scores on scales for general psychological disturbance, posttraumaticstress disorder, and depression. Female gender, feeling no control of thesituation and reporting dissatisfaction with the response of the state during the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduced interaction with family and friends increased the worseningof pre-existing psychiatric conditions, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns withfamily and friends and using social media like usual were associated with lessworsening. An independent clinical investigation from the USA confirmed worseningof psychiatric conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic based on identification of newsymptoms that necessitated clinical interventions such as dose adjustment or startingnew medications in more than half of the patients.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Disorders , Genetic Diseases, InbornABSTRACT
This study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid with responses from 12 featured countries and five WHO regions. Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable riskfactors, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends like usual,positive prediction about COVID-19, and daily exercise predicted fewer psychologicalsymptoms. These results could aid in dynamic optimization of mental health services during and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Disorders , Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
This study anonymously screened 13,332 individuals worldwide for psychological symptoms related to Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic from March 29th to April 14th, 2020. A total of n=12,817 responses were considered valid with responses from 12 featured countries and five WHO regions. Female gender, pre-existing psychiatric condition, and prior exposure to trauma were identified as notable risk factors, whereas optimism, ability to share concerns with family and friends like usual, positive prediction about COVID-19, and daily exercise predicted fewer psychological symptoms. These results could aid in dynamic optimization of mental health services during and following COVID-19 pandemic.