ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyle and health of numerous people worldwide. The manifold changes, restrictions and consequences of the pandemic caused and continue to cause psychological stress both in the general population and especially in vulnerable groups.Objectives: What factors influence the extent of the psychological burden? Which groups are and were particularly affected? How can practitioners adapt care to the needs of patients in the pandemic situation?Material and methods: Clinical considerations and an extensive literature review form the foundation for this article.Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic there was a significant increase in psychological stress, especially in vulnerable groups but also in the general population. Various risk and protective factors regarding the extent of psychological distress as well as therapeutic implications could be identified. Helpful psychotherapy approaches include validation of uncertainty, self-efficacy-enhancing behavior, mindfulness-based techniques, and cognitive reframing. Preventive strategies, stepped care, and digital interventions can also counteract the increased need for treatment.Conclusion: For future pandemic management it is essential to ensure target group-specific preventive measures and therapeutic care.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the lifestyle and health of numerous people worldwide. The manifold changes, restrictions and consequences of the pandemic caused and continue to cause psychological stress both in the general population and especially in vulnerable groups. Objectives: What factors influence the extent of the psychological burden? Which groups are and were particularly affected? How can practitioners adapt care to the needs of patients in the pandemic situation? Material and methods: Clinical considerations and an extensive literature review form the foundation for this article. Results: During the COVID-19 pandemic there was a significant increase in psychological stress, especially in vulnerable groups but also in the general population. Various risk and protective factors regarding the extent of psychological distress as well as therapeutic implications could be identified. Helpful psychotherapy approaches include validation of uncertainty, self-efficacy-enhancing behavior, mindfulness-based techniques, and cognitive reframing. Preventive strategies, stepped care, and digital interventions can also counteract the increased need for treatment. Conclusion: For future pandemic management it is essential to ensure target group-specific preventive measures and therapeutic care.
ABSTRACT
(1) The aim of the study is to assess the psychological burden of individuals with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to matched controls. (2) Over the course of eight weeks, 9 April to 3 June 2020, 253 individuals with diabetes and 253 matched controls, using Propensity Score Matching (PSM), participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants completed an anonymous survey including demographics, depressive symptoms (PHQ-2), generalized anxiety (GAD-7), COVID-19-related fear, risk perception, and safety behavior. (3) While patients with diabetes expected their risk of infection similar to controls, they reported a higher probability of the occurrence of symptoms, severe course, and dying of COVID-19. Patients with diabetes showed no elevated generalized anxiety or depressive symptoms. However, they reported higher COVID-19-related fear and more adherent and dysfunctional safety behavior compared to controls. (4) From a public health view, it seems encouraging that despite the somatic risk condition, generalized anxiety and depression are not higher in patients with diabetes than in controls. Patients with diabetes report higher COVID-19-related fear, increased risk perception, and behavioral changes. This suggests that individuals with diabetes, as a significant risk group of severe COVID-19, show an adequate perception and functional reaction to the current pandemic.