Relationship of the fear of COVID-19 with residual symptoms and functionality in patients with bipolar affective disorder

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and residual symptoms and functionality levels in patients with bipolar affective disorder.Materials and Methods: The study included 85 consecutive patients with bipolar affective disorder who were diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder according to DSM-5, were aged between 18-65 years, were literate and applied to the outpatient clinic. The patients were grouped as those with depressive/manic symptoms and those in remission with residual symptoms.Results: There was no statistically significant difference among the participants according to having or not having manic residual symptoms in the The Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The participants which did not have any depressive residual symptoms demonstrated statistically significant lower scores than the participants who had depressive residual symptoms in The Fear of COVID-19 Scale. The Hamilton Depression Scale and Functioning Assessment Short Test scores scores were significantly positively correlated with Fear of COVID-19 Scale scores.Conclusion: Patients with depressive residual symptoms score significantly higher in the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Studying resilience, fear of illness and residual symptoms in patients during the stress period will also be valuable in terms of determining follow-up and treatment strategies.