Subject(s)
COVID-19/psychology , Interpersonal Relations , Nonverbal Communication , Touch , Humans , PandemicsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess changes in profile of psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents (aged <19 year) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic compared to pre-pandemic period. METHODS: The psychiatric emergency records were analyzed for the period of April, 2019 - September, 2021 to assess the pattern and profile of mental health emergencies in children and adolescents in the period before and after the onset of the pandemic lockdown (i.e., 23 March, 2020). RESULTS: 379 consecutive child and adolescent psychiatric emergencies were identified, of which 219 were seen after the onset of pandemic. Commonest reason for referral in the pandemic group was attempted self-harm (44.3%). The ICD-10 neurotic, stress-related and somatoform disorders constituted the commonest diagnostic category, similar to pre-pandemic period. A significantly higher proportion (44% vs 28%) of children was prescribed benzodiazepines in the pandemic period, compared to the pre-pandemic period. CONCLUSION: The average monthly psychiatric emergencies in children and adolescents showed no increase during the pandemic period. Self-harm was the commonest cause of psychiatric referral in emergency services mental health crisis in the younger population.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Mental Disorders , Humans , Child , Adolescent , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Tertiary Care Centers , Emergencies , Mental Disorders/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/therapy , Communicable Disease ControlABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The outbreak of COVID-19 led to a significant psychological impact on individuals, particularly those belonging to vulnerable groups. This study aimed to synthesize literature on the psychological impact of COVID-19 among children and adolescents. METHODS: Electronic search engines were used to identify studies till March 2021 that reported symptoms of psychological origin in children and adolescents. Information was extracted using a predefined template, and qualitative analysis was conducted using STROBE. RESULTS: One hundred and two relevant papers were identified. Most of the studies were conducted online or telephonically. The study designs were primarily single group cross-sectional, though a few prospective/retrospective designs were also identified. Studies assessing emotional distress showed variable levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the study population, with greater severity of anxiety symptoms among females and older adolescents. Reduced physical activity; delayed sleep time; increased sleep duration, screen time, internet use, and sedentary habits, poor quality of life were other notable findings, often correlating with anxiety/depression. Efforts to address bias, discussion on generalizability of their results, and sample size calculation were not reported in most studies. CONCLUSION: Psychological impact on children/adolescents is significant, either due to the fear of the illness or social isolation related to COVID-19. One may focus on improving sleep habits and physical activity and regulating internet use for maintaining psychological well-being.