ABSTRACT
Introduction: Concerns about health and fitness during lockdown may serve as a trigger for eating disorders in vulnerable individuals. Other risk factors may also include increased use of social networks and comparison with beauty ideals. Isolation, loneliness and problems with emotional regulation may lead people to reduce food intake by giving them a greater sense of control. Objective(s): Emphasise the relevance of the increase in the incidence of Eating Disorders (ED) cases during the pandemic. Method(s): Review of the scientific literature based on a relevant clinical case. Result(s): 14-year-old female, residing with her mother. She reports that from the beginning of COVID-19 confinement she became obsessed with leading a healthier life, starting to restrict food, limiting fats and carbohydrates, and having also started compulsive physical activity (approximately 4 hours of aerobic exercise per day), without associated purging behaviours. She also acknowledges eating small amounts (although she minimises this aspect) and controlling all calories, stating that food and practices aimed at "staying healthy" now dominate her life. Her previous BMI was 18, with a current BMI of 11.7. Conclusion(s): Patients suffering from ED, who often have poor knowledge of their illness and find social-emotional communication difficult, may delay seeking help. Studies suggest the relevance of identifying specific vulnerability factors among ED patients in confinement in order to develop preventive strategies and personalised treatment approaches.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of adolescents. Several descriptive studies and systematic reviews have shown an increase in suicide rates in this age group. Objective(s): - To present a literary review on the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health and suicidal behavior of adolescents around the world. - To present data on admission rates due to suicidal behavior during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic in a Spanish child-adolescent psychiatric hospitalization unit. Method(s): - We will present a literature review and a retrospective cross-sectional study on admission rates for suicidal behavior in a child-adolescent psychiatric hospitalization unit. - Admission rates for suicidal behavior during the year prior to the pandemic will be compared with rates relative to the first year of the pandemic. Result(s): - We have found a significant increase in admission rates for suicidal behavior during the year of the pandemic. Similar results have been found in different studies and meta-analyzes. - The socio-demographic characteristics of the patients are quite similar in the two periods of time analyzed, but the reference to intra-family problems has been more frequent in the year of the pandemic. Conclusion(s): Our data is in line with other studies suggesting that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on teenage suicidal behavior.
ABSTRACT
IntroductionAcute and transient psychotic disorders are a rare condition entity as the sudden appearance of affective, confusional symptoms and paranoia triggered by some psychological trauma. The current pandemic caused by COVID-19 is an important psychological stressor that could favor the appearance of acute psychotic disorders. Several studies have been recently published proposing that the multifactorial stress associated with lockdown could function as a catalyst for acute psychotic disorders.ObjectivesTo present a case of a brief psychotic disorder during the national lockdown in Spain and to review the literature about the relationship between the current pandemic and psychosis.MethodsWe will present a case report and a literature review.ResultsWe report a case of a 27-year-old woman, with no previous psychiatric history. Three weeks after the start of Spain lockdown sudden symptoms appeared with psychomotor restlessness, confused speech, emotional lability, thought blocking and persecutory and referential delusions. Physical exam, blood analysis and cerebral CT scan with no alterations. Treatment was performed with aripiprazole 10 mg and lorazepam 1 mg daily with clinical improvement in one weeks. She was diagnosed of Acute transient psychotic disorder.ConclusionsStressful life events that can trigger psychosis in vulnerable individuals and the current pandemic and lockdown context could favor the appearance of acute psychotic disorders. The case reported here is in line with other current studies that show a preliminary intuition of this trend.
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has sown a feeling of fear and uncertainty throughout the world, generating emotional distress that could favor the appearance of mental illnesses. Minors are a more vulnerable group based on their age, studies, pre-existing mental illness, family finances or close relatives affected by COVID-19. This article aims to highlight the emotional and psychological impact on minors in the eastern area of Valladolid during the lockdown for COVID-19. Methods: 194 parents were interviewed by telephone survey from April 20 to May 15, 2020, providing information about the effects of quarantine on minors. Results: 50% of the participants were diagnosed with hyperkinetic disorders. The clinical situation of the minors remained unremarkable in 51.4% (rigid period of lockdown) and 47.4% (flexible period). 11% of patients used electronic devices >8h a day during flexibilization, compared to 3.9% during the rigid period. Regarding biological rhythms, up to 34% of patients (rigid period) and 40.7% (flexible period) went to bed after midnight. 25.2% of the patients during the rigid period confirmed an increase in appetite. Only 2.58% of minors expressed high concern about COVID-19. Conclusion: Lockdown due to COVID-19 has involved a global impact on minors. In general terms, the parents perceived a greater impact on the emotional and behavioral state of their children during the rigid period, without objectifying major changes after the flexibilization of lockdown.