Optimising patient care in psychiatry-Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

COVID containment strategies were implemented in the form of physical distancing, including total lockdowns. This made it difficult for people to adapt to the 'new normal'. Treatment or prevention of other diseases as morbid as COVID-19 (including mental health disorders) has taken a back seat when compared with treatment of SARS COV-2. This happened even though these other non-COVID illnesses continue to cause high rates of morbidity and mortality in the population. COVID has had unprecedented repercussions on the mental health of the population at large. A study in China found that in the first 2 months of 2020, patients with COVID-19 suffered from anxiety, depression and other stress-related symptoms. The fear of contracting COVID whilst visiting the doctors for non-COVID ailments took precedence, and patients were reluctant to visit their physicians, resulting in worsening of their pre-existing disorders. Lockdowns have led to loss of livelihood for many, especially daily wage workers. Afflicted with multiple waves, it was seen that the longer the lockdown, the greater the financial strain, leading to depression, anxiety and uncertainty about the future, which culminated in panic and anxiety disorders. This chapter discusses optimising patient care in psychiatry amid the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)