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RESUMO Objetivo: Neste estudo relatamos o caso de uma profissional de saúde com vivência de imobilidade tônica (IT) e posterior desenvolvimento de transtorno de estresse pós-traumático (TEPT) crônico em decorrência de trauma laboral por conta da COVID-19 que recebeu tratamento remoto com terapia cognitivo-comportamental focada no trauma (TCC-FT). Métodos: Relato de caso de uma paciente acompanhada por seis meses após o recebimento de TCC-FT remota. Resultados: Paciente do sexo feminino, de 36 anos, fisioterapeuta, que desenvolveu TEPT crônico e experienciou IT por medo da contaminação por coronavírus. As escalas psicométricas demonstraram que a TCC-FT reduziu consideravelmente os sintomas de TEPT e depressão e aumentou o apoio social e a resiliência. De acordo com o relato, o tratamento melhorou a concentração e a motivação, e reduziu o sentimento de culpa, a irritabilidade, a insegurança e o desconforto em lidar com outras pessoas. Conclusão: Este artigo demonstra que traumas decorrentes da COVID-19 podem ser capazes de desencadear IT e exemplifica um favorável desempenho da TCC-FT na melhoria global da saúde mental dos pacientes com TEPT crônico com vivência de IT.
ABSTRACT Objective: In this study, we report the case of a health professional with experience of tonic immobility (TI) and subsequent development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of occupational trauma due to COVID-19 who received remote treatment with Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Methods: A case report of a patient followed for six months after receiving remote TF-CBT. Results: A 36-year-old female patient, the physiotherapist who developed chronic PTSD and experienced TI for fear of coronavirus contamination. Psychometric scales demonstrated that TF-CBT considerably reduced PTSD and depression symptoms and increased social support and resilience. According to the report, the treatment improved concentration and motivation, and reduced feelings of guilt, irritability, insecurity, and discomfort in dealing with other people. Conclusion: This article demonstrates that trauma resulting from COVID-19 can trigger TI and exemplifies a favorable performance of TF-CBT in the global improvement of the mental health of patients with chronic PTSD who experience TI.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Healthcare professionals (HCPs) appear to be at increased risk for negative psychological outcomes [e.g. depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral distress] and associated impacts on functioning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. HCPs working on designated COVID-19 units may be further impacted than their colleagues not on these units given added demands of patient care and risk of contracting COVID-19. Little is known, however, about the mental health and functioning of specific professional groups beyond nurses and physicians, including respiratory therapists (RTs), over the course of the pandemic. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study was to characterize the mental health and functioning of Canadian RTs and compare profiles between RTs working on and off designated COVID-19 units.Methods: Canadian RTs completed an online survey between February and June 2021, including demographic information (e.g. age, sex, gender,) and measures of depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, moral distress and functional impairment. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and between-groups comparisons were conducted to characterize RTs and compare profiles between those on and off COVID-19 units.Results: Two hundred and eighteen (N = 218) RTs participated in this study. The estimated response rate was relatively low (6.2%) Approximately half of the sample endorsed clinically relevant symptoms of depression (52%), anxiety (51%) and stress (54%) and one in three (33%) screened positively for potential PTSD. All symptoms correlated positively with functional impairment (p's < .05). RTs working on COVID-19 units reported significantly greater patient-related moral distress compared to those not on these units (p < .05).Conclusion: Moral distress and symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress and PTSD were prevalent among Canadian RTs and were associated with functional impacts. These results must be interpreted with caution given a low response rate, yet raise concern regarding the long-term impacts of pandemic service among RTs.
Research on RTs' mental health prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic is scant, especially in comparison to other HCPs.RTs in the present study reported experiencing moral distress and clinically significant symptoms of depression, anxiety and PTSD, with associated functional impairment.One in three RTs screened positive for likely PTSD on the PCL-5.There is a need to provide RTs with adequate mental health supports and to understand the long-term impacts of pandemic service among RTs.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Mental Health , Pandemics , Canada/epidemiology , Health PersonnelABSTRACT
The distribution of teletreatment carried out by psychologists during the COVID-19 pandemic for GAD, specific phobia, agoraphobia, social anxiety, panic, OCD and PTSD, and whether experience in teletherapy has an significant effect on demand have not been studied. The results indicate that GAD with 69.2% has been the disorder that has received the most teletherapy and phobia with 60.5%, the least. Panic, social anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and agoraphobia had a demand of 67.2%, 66.8%, 64.0%, 63.5%, and 62.2%, respectively. The experience in teletherapy was significant. Tele-treatment for experienced psychologists increased an average of 93.9% compared to 35.7% for those without experience. 22.8% of psychologists did not carry out anxiety teletherapy. These results may be useful to develop specific prevention and telematic intervention programs for anxiety disorders in the face of future coronavirus pandemics. © 2022. Sociedad Española para el Estudio de la Ansiedad y el Estrés - SEAS. Colegio de la Psicología de Madrid. Todos los derechos reservados. All Rights Reserved.
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BACKGROUND: Refugees may be particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health due to their traumatic pasts and the challenges of the postmigration environment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 related stressors and their relationship to key mental health and functioning outcomes in a resettled refugee sample. METHOD: N = 656 refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia completed a survey in June 2020 to index their mental health (posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, health anxiety and disability) and COVID-19 experiences. The relationship between COVID-19 stressors and mental health was examined using a series of hierarchical linear regression models while controlling for other key demographic factors. RESULTS: Refugees' most prevalent stressors related to worries of being infected by COVID-19 or the risk COVID-19 posed to others, which predicted health anxiety and PTSD. Social-related difficulties predicted depression and disability symptoms. Accessing and trusting information from authorities were the least prevalent stressors and were not significantly associated with mental health outcomes; neither was accessing basic supplies and financial support. Fears relating to the future such as concerns about visa application processes predicted health anxiety and disability. Crucially, the strongest predictor of all mental health outcomes was COVID-19 serving as a reminder of difficult past events. CONCLUSIONS: Refugees may be uniquely affected by COVID-19 because the pandemic serves as a reminder of their past conflict and persecution trauma. It is critical that mental health strategies accommodate the specific needs of refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Antecedentes: Los refugiados pueden ser particularmente vulnerables a los efectos adversos de la pandemia del COVID-19 en la salud mental a consecuencia de sus pasados traumáticos y los desafíos del ambiente post migración.Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de los estresores relacionados al COVID-19 y su relación a resultados claves funcionamiento y salud mental claves en una muestra de refugiados reubicados.Método: N = 656 refugiados y personas en búsqueda de asilo que viven en Australia completaron una encuesta en junio de 2020 para identificar su salud mental (trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT), depresión, ansiedad de salud y discapacidad) y las experiencias de COVID-19. Fueron examinadas la relación entre los estresores de COVID-19 y la salud mental usando una serie de modelos de regresión lineal jerárquica mientras se controlaron otros factores demográficos claves.Resultados: Los estresores más prevalentes de los refugiados se relacionaban con la preocupación de infectarse de COVID-19 o el riesgo del COVID-19 hacia otros, lo cual predijo la ansiedad de salud y TEPT. Las dificultades sociales predijeron los síntomas de depresión y discapacidad. Acceder y confiar en la información proporcionada por las autoridades fueron los estresores menos prevalentes y no se asociaron significativamente a los resultados de salud mental; tampoco lo fue el acceder a insumos básicos y apoyo financiero. Los temores asociados al futuro tales como preocupaciones sobre los procesos de aplicación a la visa predijeron la ansiedad de salud y discapacidad. De manera crucial, el predictor más fuerte de todos los resultados de salud mental fue el COVID-19 sirviendo como un recordatorio de los eventos pasados difíciles.Conclusiones: Los refugiados pueden estar afectados de forma única por el COVID-19 porque la pandemia sirve como un recordatorio de sus conflictos pasados y trauma de persecución. Es crítico que las estrategias de salud mental se acomoden a las necesidades específicas de los refugiados durante la pandemia del COVID-19.
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BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique challenges to health and social care workers (HSCWs) who face morally challenging and life-threatening decisions. Following exposure to events that transgress moral beliefs and expectations, HSCWs might experience psychological, social, and spiritual problems referred to as Moral Injury (MI). OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to examine patterns of exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) among HSCWs and their associations with MI, mental health outcomes and psychological correlates. METHOD: A sample of 296 Israeli HSCWs volunteered to complete a cross-sectional electronic survey with validated self-report questionnaires in February and March 2021. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify classes characterized by unique patterns of exposure to PMIEs. Socio-demographic, work and COVID-related variables were used to predict patterns of exposure to PMIEs, and differences in mental-health outcomes and psychological correlates between classes were assessed. RESULTS: Three subgroups were identified: 'high exposure' (19.5%), 'betrayal-only' (31.3%), and 'minimal exposure' (49.4%). Perceived stress increases the odds for inclusion in the 'high exposure' and 'betrayal-only' classes. Participants in both the High Exposure class and the betrayal-only classes reported higher levels of depressive, anxiety, posttraumatic and more moral injury symptoms as compared to the 'minimal exposure' class. Importantly, both 'high exposure' and 'betrayal-only' classes reported lower levels of self-compassion and higher levels of self-criticism, relative to those in the 'minimal exposure' class. CONCLUSIONS: The study's findings offer an overview of the complex associations between patterns of exposure to PMIEs and associated predictors and outcomes. Clinicians treating HSCWs coping with COVID-19 related stress should be aware of the contribution of exposure to PMIEs to HSCWs' distress and to the unique constellation of high self-criticism and low self-compassion among HSCWs with exposure to PMIEs.
Antecedentes: La pandemia por la COVID-19 presenta desafíos únicos para los trabajadores sociales y de la salud (TSSs), quienes atraviesan decisiones moralmente desafiantes y potencialmente mortales. Luego de la exposición a eventos que transgreden las creencias y expectativas morales, los TSSs podrían experimentar problemas psicológicos, sociales y espirituales conocidos como daño moral (DM).Objetivo: Los objetivos de este estudio fueron el evaluar los patrones de exposición a eventos potencialmente dañinos para la moral (EPDMs) en los TSSs y el evaluar sus asociaciones con el DM, con consecuencias para la salud mental y con correlatos psicológicos.Métodos: Se constituyó una muestra de 296 TSSs israelíes voluntarios, la cual completó un sondeo electrónico transversal de cuestionarios de autorreporte durante febrero y marzo del 2021. Se empleó el análisis de clase latente (ACL) para identificar clases caracterizadas por patrones únicos de exposición a EPDMs. Se emplearon variantes sociodemográficas, laborales y asociadas a la COVID-19 para predecir patrones de exposición a EPDMs. También se evaluaron las diferencias en las consecuencias sobre la salud mental y correlatos psicológicos entre las clases.Resultados: Se identificaron tres subgrupos: 'Alta exposición' (19,5%), 'solo traición' (31,3%) y 'exposición mínima' (49,4%). El estrés percibido incrementa el riesgo para ser incluido en las clases de 'alta exposición' y de 'solo traición'. Los participantes tanto de la clase de 'alta exposición' como de 'solo traición' reportaron niveles más altos de síntomas depresivos, de ansiedad, postraumáticos y de daño moral comparado con la clase de 'exposición mínima'. De manera importante, tanto la clase de 'alta exposición' como la de 'solo traición' reportaron niveles más bajos de autocompasión y niveles más altos de autocrítica en comparación con la clase de 'exposición mínima'.Conclusiones: Los hallazgos del estudio revelan el panorama de las asociaciones complejas entre los patrones de exposición a EPDMs y predictores y consecuencias asociadas. Los clínicos que tratan a los TSSs que afrontan estrés asociado a la COVID-19 deberían estar informados respecto a la contribución que tiene la exposición a EPDMs sobre el distrés de los TSSs y respecto a la singular constelación de una alta autocrítica y baja autocompasión entre los TSSs con exposición a EPDMs.