ABSTRACT
We live in a modern society, which imposes an alert pace of daily life for all of us. As a result, there are constant attempts to find ways for people to access any service as quickly as possible. The COVID-19 pandemic has made drastic changes in human behaviour, lifestyle and the reality people live in. There is a concern that people are living in times of multiple existential, economic and instability threats due to drastic changes in daily life. Also known as Oniomania, the habit of compulsive shopping has come to the attention of the medical world. Studies show that the habit of buying excessively has become a concern in today's society, being similar to other well-known compulsive or addictive disorders, such as substance abuse, gambling addiction, or eating disorders. Online shopping offers multiple benefits, therefore there has been an increase in using online shopping, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people had no other option than to stay at home and use the Internet for various purposes. METHOD: The review of the literature draws on searches within databases including Pubmed, Science Direct, Elsevier, EBSCO, Medline. CONCLUSION: Health crises, such as epidemics and pandemics, can be a key factor in compulsive shopping. There are seven variables which are thought to influence the possible development of online shopping addiction: low self-esteem, low self-regulation;negative emotion, enjoyment, gender, social anonymity and cognitive overload.
ABSTRACT
Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has brought the world at a standstill with unprecedented confinement measures and lockdowns in order to contain the novel virus. Negative effects of the pandemic on mental health are the main focal point. Social isolation, loneliness and the uncertainty of day to day living put a strain on the individual's psyche, therefore psychiatric intervention is highly needed. Mental health care providers are the key to help preserve and reconstruct a post-pandemic society. METHOD: Existing literature on the Covid-19 outbreak pertinent to mental health was retrieved from the PubMed database using as a main focal point the role of the psychiatrist in managing the angst caused by the already mentioned stressful factor. In times of uncertainty and fear, mental health care remains the major pillar as it has been for numerous years, with implications worldwide. CONCLUSION: There is a pressing need for developing healthy coping mechanisms during the current crisis and it is mandatory to acknowledge the role of the psychiatrist from an early stage in order to preserve a sense of stability for the individual.
ABSTRACT
Coercion raises serious ethical and legal issues in psychiatric care. Coercive medical measures are applied in psychiatric institutions for protective purposes. Alcoholism is a social and medical problem because it especially affects the behavior of the individual. Alcohol consumption can catalyze exacerbations of mental illness and predispose to behaviors with an increased risk of violence. AIM: The purpose of this study is to illustrate medical and legal issues related to coercive measures in emergency psychiatric care during the pandemic. Methods: The study is retrospective, and the data were taken from the observation sheets of patients in the period between March 1, 2020-March 31, 2021, in acute section II in the Institute of Psychiatry "Socola" Iasi. RESULTS: Of those who required coercive measures during hospitalization, most were restraint for symptoms such as: self-aggression and aggression towards others. Mechanical restraint measures were also necessary in cases with hallucinatory-delusional symptoms, associated with self-aggression and aggression towards others. The share of hospitalized patients for alcohol abuse, who required coercive measures, was significantly higher during the pandemic. CONCLUSION: Manifestations of violence among patients with major mental disorders are rare. Mechanical restraint was necessary especially in those who had self-aggression and aggression towards others, symptoms secondary to alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption amplifies the psychological imbalance in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionIsolation, life changes and increased stress lead to widespread concerns about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on psychiatric patients. The rise in depressive disorders is one of the negative effects associated directly and indirectly to the pandemic.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of depressive disorders among the patients admitted to our hospital. The state of pandemia was declared on the 11th of March but it had already become a main stream media subject in our country at the beginning of the month with real life changes for our citizens.MethodsA retrospective study was performed at the Psychiatric Hospital ‘Elisabeta Doamna’ Galati, using the exact same period, between 01.03 and 30.09, in 2019 and 2020. ICD-10 criteria were used and pacients with either F32.x,F33.x or F38.x as discharge diagnosis were included.ResultsIn total, 7638 cases were admitted during the period in 2019, of which 751 (9,83%) had depressive disorders. In comparison with 2020 where out of 4050 admitted patients, the number had risen to 1034 (25,53%) a net increase in total number of cases by 37.6%.ConclusionsAnalysis of the data shows a 2.5 times increase in the percentage of depressive disorders among our patients. Even taking in account the lower admition rates, we have seen a clear shift in the psychiatric profile of the average pacient and this has to be taken into consideration in the long and short term treatment of any psychiatric patient.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionIn public mental health there are widespread concerns about the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on psychiatric patients. Anxiety and sleep disorders are the focal point in admissions for psychiatric care in individuals that are impacted by these changes.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of anxiety and sleep disorders among the patients admitted to our hospital. The state of pandemia was declared on the 11th of March but it had already become a main stream media subject in our country at the beginning of the month.MethodsA retrospective study was performed at the Psychiatric Hospital ‘Elisabeta Doamna’ Galati, using the exact same period, between 01.03 and 30.09, in both 2019 and 2020. ICD-10 criteria were used and pacients with either F41.x or F51.x as discharge diagnosis were included.ResultsIn total, 7638 cases were admitted during the period in 2019, of which 621 (8,13%) had anxiety disorders and 225 (2,94%) sleep disorders. In comparison in 2020 out of 4050 admitted patients, the number had risen to 1003 (24,76%) anxiety disorders and 388 (9,58%) sleep disorders.ConclusionsAnalysis of the data shows a three times increase in the percentage of both classes of disorders among our patients. Even considering the lower admition rates, there is a clear shift in the general profile of our average pacient and this has to be taken into consideration in the long and short term treatment of any psychiatric patient.