ABSTRACT
Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic poses a tremendous threat as a rapidly spreading disease, and has significant consequences on the global public health in particular to the psychological aspect of the survivors. The lived experiences require urgent documentation to tailor-make psychiatric assessments and long-term follow-ups. Aim: To explore adolescents' self-reported perspectives and lived experiences during their COVID-19 illness which was voluntarily shared through media and social media platforms during the nationwide lockdown in India. Methods: Being a preliminary study, the sample size was calculated as 20 based on similar studies in the literature. Voluntarily shared data of COVID-19 survivors were extracted from media and social media. Based on the data, an assessment sheet was prepared, pre-tested and shared with three observers via convenient sampling. Results: Male predominance was noted. The mean age was found to be 39.5 years. English was the most commonly uploaded language to communicate suffering. Instagram and YouTube were the most prevalent social media sites for self-reported experiences. The most prevalent physical symptom was fever and cough. Stress, anxiety and stigmatization were more commonly reported. Statistical significance was obtained between fear and end of life, depression and suicide, pain and isolation and worried with insomnia. Conclusion: COVID-19 not only affects physical health but also takes a toll on the mental health of the patients. There is a high prevalence rate of psychological distress among COVID-19 survivors, and we recommend a formal psychiatric assessment and long-term follow-up to understand the unique challenges faced by the COVID-19 survivors, with effective communication and empathy towards them.