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Brooke-Sumner C, Rapiya B, Myers B, Petersen I, Hanlon C, Repper J, Asher L. COVID-19 experience of people with severe mental health conditions and families in South Africa. S Afr J Psychiatr 2024; 30:2207. [PMID: 38726327 PMCID: PMC11079365 DOI: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background People with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, and their family caregivers are underserved in low- and middle-income countries where structured psychosocial support in the community is often lacking. This can present challenges to recovery and for coping with additional strains, such as a pandemic. Aim This study explored the experiences and coping strategies of people with lived experience of a severe mental health condition, and family caregivers, in South Africa during the initial stages of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Setting This qualitative study was conducted in the Nelson Mandela Bay District, Eastern Cape, South Africa, in the most restrictive period of the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods Telephonic qualitative interviews were conducted with people with lived experience (n = 14) and caregivers (n = 15). Audio recordings were transcribed and translated to English from isiXhosa. Thematic analysis was conducted with NVivo 12. Results Participants described negative impacts including increased material hardship, intensified social isolation and heightened anxiety, particularly among caregivers who had multiple caregiving responsibilities. Coping strategies included finding ways to not only get support from others but also give support, engaging in productive activities and taking care of physical health. The main limitation was inclusion only of people with access to a telephone. Conclusion Support needs for people with severe mental health conditions and their families should include opportunities for social interaction and sharing coping strategies as well as bolstering financial security. Contribution These findings indicate that current support for this vulnerable group is inadequate, and resource allocation for implementation of additional community-based, recovery-focused services for families must be prioritised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie Brooke-Sumner
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bongwekazi Rapiya
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
- Curtin Enable Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inge Petersen
- Centre for Rural Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Charlotte Hanlon
- Centre for Global Mental Health, Department of Health Service and Population Research, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Julie Repper
- West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- Implementing Recovery Through Organisational Change (IMROC), Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Asher
- Academic Unit of Lifespan and Population Health, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Di Sarno E, Louzã MR. The burden of caregivers of schizophrenia outpatients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A same-sample comparison with the pre-pandemic burden. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1231-1238. [PMID: 36825654 PMCID: PMC9968889 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231156512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected the vulnerable Brazilian population. In this study, we investigated the burden of COVID-19 on caregivers for patients with schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE This study assessed objective and subjective burden of caregivers for patients with schizophrenia during the COVID-19 pandemic and compared the measurements obtained in the study to that before the pandemic. METHODS The study included 50 caregivers who were assessed using the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, and the Family Burden Interview Schedule, Brazilian version (FBIS-BR). An adaptation of the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) was made, in which caregivers evaluated their 'clinical' impression about the patient during the COVID-19 pandemic in comparison to pre-pandemic mental status. RESULTS Most caregivers were female, aged between 24 and 80 years, who were in contact with the patient for about 88.56 hours/week. In relation to caregiver burden, there was a significant increase in the total subjective burden (p < .001), but not in the total objective burden. The following subjective domains of the burden showed a significant increase: assistance in daily life (p < .001) and worries about patients' present and future life (p = .033). There was a decrease in the objective burden related to supervision of patients' problematic behaviors (p = .031). Although the caregiver's income did not change significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the percentage of caregivers who perceived the frequency of financial burden imposed by the patient as 'very frequent' and 'always or almost always'; conversely there was a significant decrease in the subjective perception of the caregiver that the patient imposed financially 'no burden' or a 'seldom burden' (from 34% to 4%). CONCLUSION Although the objective burden of the caregivers, during the pandemic, was similar the pre-pandemic levels, caregivers' subjective burden increased reinforcing the need for special attention to the caregiver in this global emergency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Di Sarno
- Schizophrenia Research Program (Projesq), Institute
of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de
São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mario Rodrigues Louzã
- Schizophrenia Research Program (Projesq), Institute
of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de
São Paulo, Brazil
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Multiple countries have reported increased COVID-19 mortality in patients with schizophrenia. The purpose of this review was to synthetize the consequences of the pandemic on patients with schizophrenia including vaccination data. RECENT FINDINGS We have synthetized data on the increased risk of infection and increased mortality, the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns on psychiatric care, vaccination policies, unwillingness to vaccine in patients and the rates of vaccination. SUMMARY Schizophrenia has been confirmed at increased risk of both COVID-19 infection and developing a severe/lethal form of the infection. Patients with schizophrenia should, therefore, be prioritized for vaccination whenever possible and should be prioritized for psychiatric and somatic care access. Psychotic symptomatology may be a barrier to vaccination in some patients, and heterogenous vaccination rates were identified in national databases. The COVID-19 pandemic has been also a unique opportunity to develop telehealth. A mixed face-to-face and distance model should be encouraged, whenever possible, to improve the experience of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals. No major change of long-acting antipsychotics has been reported in most countries, and there was no consistent evidence for clozapine prescription to increase the risk of COVID-19 infection or severe outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Fond
- Aix-Marseille University, CEReSS-Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Marseille
- FondaMental Academic Advanced Center of Expertise for Depressive disorders and Schizophrenia (FACE-DR, FACE-SZ), Marseille, France
| | - Laurent Boyer
- Aix-Marseille University, CEReSS-Health Service Research and Quality of Life Center, Marseille
- FondaMental Academic Advanced Center of Expertise for Depressive disorders and Schizophrenia (FACE-DR, FACE-SZ), Marseille, France
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Kaewwanna W, Bhatarasakoon P, Kitsumban V. Effectiveness of internet-based psychosocial interventions on psychological distress, expressed emotion, and knowledge about psychosis among family caregivers of people with schizophrenia: a systematic review protocol. JBI Evid Synth 2023; 21:789-795. [PMID: 36730284 DOI: 10.11124/jbies-22-00132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of internet-based psychosocial interventions versus active comparators (such as in-person interventions, bibliotherapy, or telephone interventions) and passive comparators (such as usual psychiatric care) on psychological distress, expressed emotion, and knowledge about psychosis in family caregivers of people with schizophrenia. INTRODUCTION Family caregivers of individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing mental disorders. Despite the widespread dissemination of reliable guidelines for caring for people with schizophrenia and their family caregivers, these have been poorly implemented. Hence, internet-based interventions with caregivers of people with schizophrenia could be an effective and feasible option. INCLUSION CRITERIA This review will include studies focusing on the family caregivers of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Internet-based psychosocial interventions will be defined as any psychosocial intervention that is internet-based compared with active comparators (such as in-person interventions, bibliotherapy, or telephone interventions) and passive comparators (such as usual psychiatric care). The primary outcomes of this review will include psychological distress, expressed emotion, and knowledge about the psychosis of family caregivers of people with schizophrenia. The secondary outcome will be the hospitalization of people with schizophrenia. METHODS MEDLINE (PubMed), CINAHL (Ovid), Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses will be systematically searched for published and unpublished studies from 2010 in English and Thai. Two reviewers will select studies, critically appraise them, and perform data extraction independently. Finally, when possible, the studies will be pooled through statistical meta-analysis and grading of the certainty of evidence by each outcome. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER PROSPERO CRD42021255318.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patraporn Bhatarasakoon
- Faculty of Nursing, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- The Thailand Centre for Evidence Based Health Care: A JBI Affiliated Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Pourfridoni M, Askarpour H. COVID-19 and the increase in schizophrenia incidence in the future: A hypothesis and a serious warning. Health Sci Rep 2022; 6:e978. [PMID: 36479392 PMCID: PMC9721364 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has caused a global pandemic, is brought on by the Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Since the COVID-19 pandemic started so recently, dealing with complications that emerge years later and have the potential to cause several crises for humanity is one of the issues we face in the post-COVID-19 age. Therefore, we wish to discuss a theory and potential dangers surrounding the probability of schizophrenia following COVID-19 infection in this study. METHODS The literature search for this article has been entirely internet-based. Information was gathered using the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS The results showed that multiple immune system changes brought on by COVID-19 have been identified as potential causes of schizophrenia. CONCLUSION It is predicted that one of the long-term effects of COVID-19 is an increase in the risk of schizophrenia incidence based on the results of this study, which looked at the pathophysiology and etiology of schizophrenia as well as the pathogenic mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, healthcare staff should be prepared to handle any potential risks in future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hedyeh Askarpour
- Clinical Research Development Center of Imam Khomeini HospitalJiroft University of Medical SciencesJiroftIran
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Hudon A, Léveillé N, Sanchez-Schicharew K, Dellazizzo L, Phraxayavong K, Dumais A. The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients having followed virtual reality therapy or cognitive behavioural therapy: a content analysis. Ann Med 2022; 54:2477-2485. [PMID: 36102593 PMCID: PMC9481136 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2121852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The COVID-19 pandemic led to exacerbation of mental health symptoms and deterioration in psychological well-being in individuals suffering from schizophrenia. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients suffering from treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) with auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH) having undergone virtual reality therapy (VRT) or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on their symptomatology. The secondary objective is to identify the differences and similarities in relation to the response to the COVID 19 pandemic between these two groups of patients. METHODS Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted with 42 patients suffering from TRS who had previously followed VRT or CBT. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed. RESULTS Four themes emerged in this study: Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Impact of COVID-19 and Public health and safety policies, Substance use and Psychiatric follow-up. Participants from both groups reported that their therapy was beneficial in controlling AVH. Patients having followed CBT reported more depressive symptoms whereas patients having followed VRT reported more anxious symptoms. CONCLUSIONS This study offers a first qualitative insight in patients suffering from TRS and the impacts of COVID-19 on them and opens the door to the protective factors of CBT and VRT for this specific population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Hudon
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Nayla Léveillé
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Laura Dellazizzo
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Alexandre Dumais
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Services et Recherches Psychiatriques AD, Montreal, Canada.,Institut national de Psychiatrie Légale Philippe-Pinel, Montreal, Canada
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Mork E, Aminoff SR, Barrett EA, Simonsen C, Hegelstad WTV, Lagerberg TV, Melle I, Romm KL. COVID-19 lockdown - who cares? The first lockdown from the perspective of relatives of people with severe mental illness. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1104. [PMID: 35655294 PMCID: PMC9162484 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13458-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Informal care is vital to many people with severe mental illness under normal circumstances. Little is known about how extraordinary circumstances affect relatives with a family member with mental illness. This study investigated the consequences of the first COVID-19 lockdown in Norway from the perspective of relatives of persons with psychotic- and/or bipolar disorders: What were the challenges and for whom? Method Relatives were invited to complete an online survey shortly after the first lockdown was initiated. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected concerning experiences of relatives’ own and their affected family members’ health and situation. Two hundred and seventy-nine relatives completed the survey, mostly mothers and partners. Results One-third of the relatives reported considerable deterioration in their family members’ mental health, and a substantial minority worried about severe self-harm or suicide. Main themes in the qualitative analyses were “Isolation and its effects on mental health”, “Worrying about the pandemic and its consequences”, “Increased symptomatology” and “Suicide”. Being a relative during the lockdown put heavy strain on the relatives’ own health, in particular disturbance of sleep, concentration, and the ability to take care of others in the family. Relatives of family members with psychotic bipolar disorder, not currently in treatment, or living with their family experienced the situation especially challenging. Conclusions Many relatives found the first lockdown hard for their family. Efforts to integrate relatives’ perspectives in health care and contingency plans under normal circumstances could potentially alleviate some of the extra burden experienced by families during extraordinary circumstances. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13458-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erlend Mork
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Advisory Unit for Southeast Norway (TIPS Sør-Øst), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sofie R Aminoff
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Advisory Unit for Southeast Norway (TIPS Sør-Øst), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elizabeth Ann Barrett
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Advisory Unit for Southeast Norway (TIPS Sør-Øst), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Carmen Simonsen
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Advisory Unit for Southeast Norway (TIPS Sør-Øst), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wenche Ten Velden Hegelstad
- TIPS Centre for Clinical Research in Psychosis, Stavanger University Hospital, 4011, Stavanger, Norway.,Institute of Social Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Stavanger, P.O. box 8600, 4036, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Trine Vik Lagerberg
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, PB 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Melle
- Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, PB 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristin Lie Romm
- Early Intervention in Psychosis Advisory Unit for Southeast Norway (TIPS Sør-Øst), Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway.,Norwegian Centre for Mental Disorders Research (NORMENT), Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Nydalen, P.O. box 4956, 0424, Oslo, Norway
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