ABSTRACT
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, different environmental stressors and the difficult lockdown conditions exacerbated the signs and symptoms of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). The aim of this study is to qualitatively investigate and deeply understand the experiences of patients during the epidemic and its effect on the exacerbation of their symptoms to help plan the treatment of OCD during these kinds of periods. Method: This was a descriptive phenomenological study using Colaizzi's approach, conducted on OCD patients who visited Tehran Psychiatric Institute. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the patients and continued until reaching saturation. Lincoln and Guba's trustworthiness criteria for qualitative research (credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability) were used to ensure the accuracy and precision of the findings. Results: Fourteen participants with a mean age of 30.3 years took part in this study. The data analysis revealed three themes: the pandemic disrupting OCD patients' mental structure (OCD exacerbation, increased tensions in interpersonal relationships, mental exhaustion), rationalization of OCD symptoms in the context of COVID-19 (not feeling excluded, conflict resolution with the family, theoretically taking revenge on others), and the assimilation of COVID-19 within OCD (adaptation of the mental world to the world of COVID-19, altered content of obsession, and altered pattern of obsession). Conclusion: The stress induced by the COVID-19 pandemic can impact OCD in different ways, mostly by exacerbating the symptoms, adding new symptoms, and altering the type of obsession. The stress of infection is the most important factor in OCD exacerbation Copyright © 2023, Journal of Iranian Medical Council. All rights reserved. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
ABSTRACT
Background: Anxiety persists following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and has caused dysfunction. Objective(s): We compared the effect of the online Balint group and pharmacotherapy on COVID-19-induced anxiety in Iranian health-care workers (HCWs). Method(s): In the current clinical trial in the north of Iran in 2021, the participants were randomly assigned to two groups, including the Balint group (eight 60-minute online sessions) and the pharmacotherapy group (sertraline), following a phone screening pro-cedure by a psychiatrist. The groups filled out two questionnaires, namely the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Corona Disease Anxiety Scale, at baseline and after the intervention (fourth week). Result(s): Forty-five HCWs were assessed. There was a significant difference in total anxiety score and also in sub-component in each group (P <= 0.001). No significant differences were observed regarding the effectiveness of both interventions in anxiety (P = 0.52);however, the pharmacotherapy interventions significantly affected the resilience and related subscales (P <= 0.05). The domain of spiritual influences significantly increased in the pharmacotherapy group (P = 0.031). Conclusion(s): Balint group and pharmacotherapy can improve COVID-19-induced anxiety and boost resilience in HCWs. Copyright © 2022, Author(s).
ABSTRACT
Background: This study was performed to examine the effect of Balint group work on anxiety related to the COVID-19 and resilience, among medical groups dealing with the coronavirus crisis. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study with a pre-test post -test design without control group, 31 health care workers by anxiety related to the COVID-19, were enrolled. Balint groups were held virtually via Skype. Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) were used at the beginning and the end of the intervention to collect data. Results: We found a significant difference between coronavirus anxiety scores (P<0.01, t=0.632), psychological symptoms (P<0.01, t=4.843), and physical symptoms (P<0.01, t=0.45). We found a significant difference between the resilience scores (P=0.01, t=0.426), the perception of individual competence (P<0.01, t=0.77), confidence in individual instincts/tolerance of negative emotion (P<0.01 and t=4.437), positive acceptance of change and secure relationships (P< 0.01 and t = 3-809), and control (P<0.01, t=3.581) before and after the intervention. Conclusion: Online Balint's group work can be considered effective in reducing anxiety symptoms and increasing the resilience of medical personnel, and it is recommended in different groups of medical staff who are exposed to stress and anxiety for a long time.
ABSTRACT
Objectives The present study aimed to discover the lived experiences of the older adults from quarantine during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods & Materials This qualitative study employed a content analysis method. Sampling was performed in 10 subjects using a purposive sampling method and continued until data saturation. Semi-Structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect the necessary data. The texts of the interviews were analyzed by qualitative method. Results As a result of the interviews, the two main themes of negative outcomes with the sub-themes of illness anxiety, low mood, death anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, social isolation, treatment limitations, and reduced physical activity as well as the main themes of positive outcomes with the sub-theme of lifestyle improvements were discovered. Each of the above-mentioned themes had several supporting semantic units. Conclusion The themes discovered based on lived experience provided useful information about the effects of quarantine on biopsychological health and quality of life of the elderly;these characteristics can be considered in treatment planning and measures for this group.