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Richardson D, Aranda F, Cook JA, Swarbrick M. How Individuals with Mental Health Challenges Coped During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clin Nurs Res 2024:10547738241273294. [PMID: 39148237 DOI: 10.1177/10547738241273294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
There is growing awareness of the significant mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on many Americans. Less is known about the effects on individuals who were living with mental health conditions prior to the pandemic's onset. In addition, little research has explored how this group is coping positively with the challenges of COVID-19. Understanding the strengths these individuals bring to pandemic demands and disruptions can inform recovery for these individuals in the aftermath of this public health emergency. Using results from a cross-sectional, online survey administered during April and May 2020, we use qualitative methods to examine how individuals with symptoms of depression and anxiety were coping with COVID-19. Participants were recruited from two networks of statewide behavioral health community programs in New Jersey and New York. Data come from 48 participants who reported current symptoms of anxiety assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 Scale and/or depression assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-2. These respondents demonstrated resilience in navigating disruptions brought on by COVID-19 and reported a range of healthy coping strategies. We identified three themes characterizing successful coping strategies, including utilizing social support systems, practicing self-care, and adjusting one's mindset to deal with challenging experiences. When designing programs, policies, and clinical approaches to support people with mental health conditions, it is essential to focus on strengths. The coping strategies shared by the individuals in this study demonstrate and build on their resilience. More research is needed to discover the strengths people exhibit to deal with the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devon Richardson
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, School of Public Health,University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Frances Aranda
- Center on Mental Health Services Research & Policy, Psychiatry, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Judith A Cook
- Center on Mental Health Services Research and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Margaret Swarbrick
- Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, Freehold, NJ
- Rutgers Center of Alcohol and Substance Use Studies, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Piscataway, NJ
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2
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Kwon S. Preexisting Mental Disorders and Mental Distress During the Pandemic: The Roles of Stress, Risk Perception, and Loneliness. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4595482. [PMID: 39070631 PMCID: PMC11276009 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4595482/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed unprecedented stressors on individuals globally, leading to significant mental health challenges. This study examines the relationship between perceived adversities experienced during the pandemic-such as stress, risk perception, and loneliness-and the mental health outcomes of individuals with a specific focus on those already grappling with mental disorders. Methods The study analyzed data from 8,259 adults who participated in surveys between waves 4 (April 2020) and 29 (June 2021) of the Understanding American Study. Participants self-reported their psychiatric diagnosis history and completed self-report measures of mental distress (PHQ-4), perceived stress, risk perception, and loneliness. Results Those with preexisting comorbid mental disorders reported higher levels of mental distress, COVID-19 risk perception, perceived stress as well as more days experiencing loneliness during the pandemic. Perceived adversities-stress, risk perception, and loneliness-were all positively associated with increased mental distress, indicating the risk factors for mental distress during the pandemic. Among these factors, loneliness was identified as the primary contributor, accounting for 30%-40% of the mental health gap between individuals with and without preexisting mental diagnoses. Also, the detrimental impact of these adversities was more pronounced for those with preexisting mental disorders. Conclusion The research highlights that those with preexisting mental disorders, particularly those with comorbidities, face an increased risk of experiencing mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings underscore the critical importance of providing targeted support and interventions specifically designed for this vulnerable population, with a particular focus on addressing loneliness.
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Luciano M, Carmassi C, Sampogna G, Bertelloni CA, Abbate-Daga G, Albert U, Castellini G, Della Rocca B, Fantasia S, Menchetti M, Pedrinelli V, Pompili M, Signorelli MS, Tosato S, Fiorillo A. Longitudinal trajectories of psychosocial functioning in patients with pre-existing mental disorders after one year of COVID-19 pandemic. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 172:200-209. [PMID: 38401365 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
Aims of the present study were to prospectively assess psychosocial functioning trajectories during the COVID pandemic and the possible impact of sociodemographic variables, as well as of COVID-19 pandemic-related factors, on these trajectories, in a sample of patients with pre-existing severe mental disorders. Moreover, we aimed at identifying predictors of impairment in psychosocial functioning over a period of 9 months of COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were recruited during the 3rd wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (T0, March-April 2021) while strict containment measures were applied in Italy, and reassessed after 3 months (T1, June-July 2021), and after 6 months from T1 (T2- November-December 2021), during the 4th wave of COVID pandemic. A sample of 300 subject (out of the 527 subjects recruited at baseline) completed the T2 evaluation. Patients were assessed by: Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) for psychosocial functioning, Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item (GAD-7) for anxiety symptoms, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised, for post-traumatic symptoms. Cluster analyses identified 4 trajectories of functioning: the High, Stable Functioning group (N = 77), the Improvement Functioning group (N = 62), the Progressive Impairment group (N = 83) and the Persistent Severe Impairment group (N = 78) respectively. We found that predictors of higher WSAS score at T2 were higher WSAS score at T0 (B = 0.43, p < .001), PHQ scores at baseline >10 (B = 2.89, p < .05), while not living alone was found to be a protective factor (B = -2.5, p < .05). Results of the present study provides insights into the vulnerability of individuals with psychiatric disorders during times of crisis. Study findings can contribute to a better understanding of the specific needs of this population and inform interventions and support strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Luciano
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy.
| | - C Carmassi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Sampogna
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy
| | - C A Bertelloni
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - G Abbate-Daga
- Department of Neurosciences "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - U Albert
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste and Department of Mental Health, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina - ASUGI, Trieste, Italy
| | - G Castellini
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - B Della Rocca
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy
| | - S Fantasia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Menchetti
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Pedrinelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - M Pompili
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sense Organs, University of Rome "La Sapienza", Rome, Italy
| | - M S Signorelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Psychiatry Unit, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - S Tosato
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - A Fiorillo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli,", Naples, Italy
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Shemesh S, Feldman R, Zagoory-Sharon O, Tzur Bitan D, Grossman-Giron A, Chen D, Maoz H, Bloch Y. Oxytocin as a transdiagnostic biomarker of well-being in severe mental illness during the Covid-19 pandemic. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 169:355-363. [PMID: 38101184 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with severe mental illness (SMI) have been found to suffer a greater decline in psychological well-being compared to the general population in times of stress. The present study aimed to examine clinical and endocrine resilience factors of psychological well-being in SMI patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. METHODS After Covid-19 crisis outburst in Israel 112 participants, 69 outpatients, and 43 inpatients and day treatment patients were recruited. Outpatients signed an online informed consent and filled in questionnaires regarding their level of mental health symptoms (OQ-45), fear of Covid-19 (FCV), and psychological well-being (PWB). Inpatients answered the same questionnaires and in addition, went through a positive social interaction paradigm while providing three saliva samples to measure their s-IgA and oxytocin (OT) levels. RESULTS A strong negative correlation was found in the whole sample between reported mental health symptoms, fear of Covid-19, and well-being. Hierarchical regression did not find additional contribution of the fear of the pandemic in predicting well-being beyond the impact of symptomatology. For inpatients (N = 39) only, hierarchical regression found that oxytocin, but not s-IgA could explain 5% of the variance of well-being (R2 = 0.05) in individuals with SMI regardless of their mental health symptoms (R2 = 0.46) and their marital status (R2 = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS OT is suggested as a possible independent biological resilience factor of well-being in times of major stress among SMI patients. It is still unknown whether OT is a mediator that contributes to well-being or a biological marker that indicates the degree of beneficial social interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Dana Tzur Bitan
- Department of Community Mental Health, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Dror Chen
- Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod- Hasharon, Israel; School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Hagai Maoz
- Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod- Hasharon, Israel; School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
| | - Yuval Bloch
- School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
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Fe Garcia-Rada M, Litman RE. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and Nonpsychiatric Control Subjects in Clinical Trials. INNOVATIONS IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2024; 21:13-18. [PMID: 38495606 PMCID: PMC10941859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with serious mental illness (SMI), specifically relating to psychiatric morbidity, pandemic-induced stress, and ability to cope with pandemic-related precautionary measures, restrictions, and disruptions to daily life. Design A cross-sectional survey study of 277 clinical trial patients was conducted. This sample included nonpsychiatric controls (n=139) and patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), or schizophrenia (n=138) located at five clinical trial sites across the United States. A univariate analysis was performed to obtain general frequencies of the sample. Unpaired t-tests were used in comparing the groups on numerical variables, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to identify differences when comparing three or more categories. Results Patients with SMI were more likely to report wearing face masks, avoiding large gatherings, and endorsing the use of precautionary measures, despite receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (p<0.001). A total of 70.3 percent (n=97) of all patients with SMI reported experiencing at least one episode of symptom worsening, 48 percent reported experiencing suicidal ideation, and 66 percent reported a need for increased mental healthcare due to COVID-19-related distress. Patients with SMI reported higher levels of stress, compared to controls, with patients with MDD having the highest levels of stress (p<0.001). Conclusion These findings demonstrate an increased vulnerability to symptom worsening in patients with SMI during a pandemic and suggest the need to account for pandemic-induced psychological stress in clinical trial design, subject selection, and symptoms ratings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fe Garcia-Rada
- Ms. Fe Garcia-Rada and Dr. Litman are with CenExel CBH Health in Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Robert E. Litman
- Ms. Fe Garcia-Rada and Dr. Litman are with CenExel CBH Health in Gaithersburg, Maryland
- Dr. Litman is additionally with Georgetown University Medical School in Washington, DC
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Šagud M, Janović MB, Ćusa ZV, Jakšić N, Krakan LB, Begić D, Grubišin J, Janović Š, Jevtović S, Kosanović Rajačić B, Mamić G, Mikulić SK, Marčinko D, Peleš AM, Lisak MŠ, Štimac Z, Živković M, Ćusa BV, Wang W. Depression and stress levels in patients with different psychiatric disorders during concurrent early-phase COVID-19 pandemic and earthquake in Croatia. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:798. [PMID: 37915030 PMCID: PMC10621232 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-05302-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While Croatia shared COVID-19 pandemic with other countries, its capital area was also hit by a 5.6 magnitude earthquake. The simultaneous impact of these two disasters on psychiatric patients is largely unknown, and we addressed those knowledge gaps. METHODS The cross-sectional study was conducted during the pandemic's first peak, in the aftermath of earthquake, by telephonic survey. Measurements included the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Perceived Stress Scale and the semi-structured interview to evaluate the impact of pandemic stress and earthquake. Overall 396 patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders (DAD), 229 participants with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and 205 healthy controls were enrolled. RESULTS Both patient groups had higher depression and stress levels than controls, independent of sex, age and the presence of somatic comorbidity. After controlling for the same covariates, patient groups had higher COVID-19- and earthquake-related fears than controls. In patients with DAD, both fears were greater than among SSD patients. When comparing the two fears, the fear from earthquake was higher in DAD and control groups, whereas in SSD patients there was no such difference. CONCLUSIONS Patients with DAD were the most vulnerable group during disasters, while earthquake seems to be associated with more fear than the pandemics, at least in DAD patients and healthy individuals. Future longitudinal studies should determine if early psychological support might alleviate stress levels after disasters and prevent further worsening of mental health, particularly among DAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Šagud
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Bajs Janović
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Nenad Jakšić
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Lucija Bagarić Krakan
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dražen Begić
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jasmina Grubišin
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Špiro Janović
- University Centre Varaždin, University North, Varaždin, Croatia
| | - Saša Jevtović
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Biljana Kosanović Rajačić
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Suzan Kudlek Mikulić
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Darko Marčinko
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Alma Mihaljević Peleš
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Šeparović Lisak
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Zoran Štimac
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Maja Živković
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Bjanka Vuksan Ćusa
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychological Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Ascone L, Rohenkohl AC, Hurlemann R, Meisenzahl E, Riedel-Heller SG, Becker T, Bajbouj M, von Lilienfeld-Toal M, Gallinat J, Lambert M. [Assessment of Direct (COVID-19-Related) and Collateral, Psychosocial Pandemic Consequences for Vulnerable Groups by the Example of Serious Mental Illness]. PSYCHIATRISCHE PRAXIS 2023; 50:381-388. [PMID: 37137325 PMCID: PMC10567134 DOI: 10.1055/a-2051-7613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The indirect pandemic consequences could by far exceed the direct effects of SARS-CoV-2 in terms of costs, morbidity, and mortality. This essay includes a proposed method (matrix) to visualize virus-related and psychosocial risks for different populations side by side in a systematic and concise manner. COVID-19-related and psychosocial vulnerability, stressors, direct and indirect consequences are derived on a theoretical and empirical basis. An exemplary quantification of the matrix for the vulnerable group of people with severe mental illness revealed a very high risk for severe COVID-19 consequences, as well as a pronounced risk for psychosocial collateral effects. The proposed approach could be further discussed for a risk-graded pandemic management, crisis recovery, and future preparedness to adequately address psychosocial collateral effects and better identify and protect vulnerable groups in this regard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Ascone
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum
Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
| | - Anja Christine Rohenkohl
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum
Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
| | - René Hurlemann
- Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie,
Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg
| | - Eva Meisenzahl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der
Heinrich-Heine-Universität/ LVR Klinikum
Düsseldorf
| | - Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
- Institut für Sozialmedizin, Arbeitsmedizin und Public Health
(ISAP), Universität Leipzig, Medizinische Fakultät,
Leipzig
| | - Thomas Becker
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie,
Universitätsklinikum Leipzig
| | - Malek Bajbouj
- Klinik und Hochschulambulanz für Psychiatrie, Charité
Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Klinik für Psychiatrie und
Psychotherapie Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin
| | - Marie von Lilienfeld-Toal
- Hämatologie und internistische Onkologie,
Universitätsklinikum Jena
- Infektionen in der Hämatologie/Onkologie,
Leibniz-Institut für Naturstoff-Forschung und Infektionsbiologie e.V.
Hans-Knöll-Institut, Jena
| | - Jürgen Gallinat
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum
Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
| | - Martin Lambert
- Zentrum für Psychosoziale Medizin, Klinik und Poliklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum
Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg
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McLoughlin A, Mulholland K, McMahon E, Plunkett R, Hennigan K, McDonald C, Hallahan B. A 2-year longitudinal evaluation of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with pre-existing anxiety disorders. Ir J Psychol Med 2023; 40:437-444. [PMID: 37051901 DOI: 10.1017/ipm.2023.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To examine if the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with a differential effect over a 2-year time period in relation to its psychological and social impact on patients with established anxiety disorders. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 individuals attending the Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services in Ireland with an ICD-10 diagnosis of an anxiety disorder. Interviews occurred at three time-points over a 2-year period to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, social and occupational functioning, and quality of life. RESULTS No statistical difference in symptomatology was noted between the three time-points in relation to anxiety symptoms as measured utilising psychometric rating scales (Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) or Likert Scale measures). The greatest impact of COVID-19 at all time-points related to social functioning and quality of life. Significant variability was noted for individual participants. Qualitative analysis noted a tentative optimism for the future in the setting of vaccination and societal re-opening. Fear of re-emerging anxiety symptoms with the removal of societal restrictions was noted. CONCLUSIONS No significant overall change in symptomatology or functioning over time was noted for individuals with pre-existing anxiety disorders, however variability was demonstrated, with some individuals describing ongoing anxiety, social isolation and concern for their future. A strong theme of hope for the future and less concern regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was evident; however tailored supports including the utilisation of tele-psychiatry is suggested, particularly for those experiencing increased anxiety with the removal of societal restrictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A McLoughlin
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, Jonathan Swift Centre, St. James's Hospital, Dublin8, Ireland
| | - K Mulholland
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
| | - E McMahon
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
| | - R Plunkett
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
- Department of Psychological Medicine, St. James's Hospital, Dublin8, Ireland
| | - K Hennigan
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, Ireland
| | - C McDonald
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - B Hallahan
- Galway-Roscommon Mental Health Services, University Hospital Galway, Ireland
- School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
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Kaltenboeck A, Portela Millinger F, Stadtmann S, Schmid C, Amering M, Vogl S, Fellinger M. How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect the personal lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder? A qualitative interview study. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1239-1249. [PMID: 36864811 PMCID: PMC9988625 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231156833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes one of the greatest recent public crises. This study explored its influence on the lives and care realities of people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD). METHODS Between October 2020 and April 2021, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 volunteers with SSDs receiving inpatient or outpatient treatment in Vienna (Austria). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. RESULTS Three main themes were identified. First, 'Pandemic life is deprived, lonely and surreal - though certain aspects can be perceived as positive'. Second, 'Bio-psycho-social support systems were struck at their core by the pandemic and were left severely compromised'. Last, 'There is a complex interplay between one's prior experience of psychosis and the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic'. The pandemic situation affected interviewees in various ways. For many, it led to a drastic reduction in day-to-day and social activities and contributed to an atmosphere of strangeness and threat. Bio-psycho-social support providers frequently suspended their services and offered alternatives were not always helpful. Participants indicated that whilst having an SSD might render them vulnerable to the pandemic situation, prior experience with psychotic crises can also provide knowledge, skills and self-confidence which enable better coping. Some interviewees also perceived aspects of the pandemic situation as helpful for recovering from psychosis. CONCLUSION Healthcare providers must acknowledge the perspectives and needs of people with SSDs in present and future public health crises to ensure proper clinical support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Kaltenboeck
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Filipe Portela Millinger
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Sarah Stadtmann
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
- Sozialpsychiatrisches Zentrum, Caritas der Erzdiözese Wien, Austria
| | - Christine Schmid
- Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Technical University Berlin, Germany
| | - Michaela Amering
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Vogl
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Matthäus Fellinger
- Clinical Division of Social Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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Kowalski K, Misiak B. Schizophrenia and the COVID-19 pandemic: A narrative review from the biomedical perspective. REVISTA DE PSIQUIATRIA Y SALUD MENTAL 2023:S1888-9891(23)00015-0. [PMID: 37544807 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2023.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020 caused a rapid worsening of global mental health. Patients with severe mental disorders, including schizophrenia, are at higher risk of being infected. The neuroinvasive potential of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been confirmed. The aim of this article was to present a narrative and comprehensive review of multidimensional associations between schizophrenia and COVID-19 with special emphasis on common biological pathways. Online searches were performed in the PubMed database and covered the publication period until September 17, 2022. Search terms included "psychosis", "schizophrenia", "inflammation" and "COVID-19". Viewed as a neuroinflammatory state, schizophrenia shares several neurobiological mechanisms with the COVID-19. Environmental stress, common comorbidities of schizophrenia and adverse effects of antipsychotic treatment are associated with the higher severity and mortality of the COVID-19. Additionally, more frequent relapses of psychosis have been observed, and might be related to lower treatment adherence. In the context of clinical manifestation, higher level of negative symptoms has been identified among patients with schizophrenia during the pandemic. Improvements in mental health care policy and treatment adjustment are necessary to protect people with schizophrenia who are the population that is particularly vulnerable to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research will show if prenatal infection with the SARS-CoV-2 increases a risk of psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kowalski
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 10 Street, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland.
| | - Błażej Misiak
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Pasteura 10 Street, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
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Lavalle R, Condominas E, Haro JM, Giné-Vázquez I, Bailon R, Laporta E, Garcia E, Kontaxis S, Alacid GR, Lombardini F, Preti A, Peñarrubia-Maria MT, Coromina M, Arranz B, Vilella E, Rubio-Alacid E, Matcham F, Lamers F, Hotopf M, Penninx BWJH, Annas P, Narayan V, Simblett SK, Siddi S. The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Adults with Major Depressive Disorder from Catalonia: A Decentralized Longitudinal Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5161. [PMID: 36982069 PMCID: PMC10048808 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20065161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The present study analyzes the effects of each containment phase of the first COVID-19 wave on depression levels in a cohort of 121 adults with a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) from Catalonia recruited from 1 November 2019, to 16 October 2020. This analysis is part of the Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse-MDD (RADAR-MDD) study. Depression was evaluated with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), and anxiety was evaluated with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Depression's levels were explored across the phases (pre-lockdown, lockdown, and four post-lockdown phases) according to the restrictions of Spanish/Catalan governments. Then, a mixed model was fitted to estimate how depression varied over the phases. A significant rise in depression severity was found during the lockdown and phase 0 (early post-lockdown), compared with the pre-lockdown. Those with low pre-lockdown depression experienced an increase in depression severity during the "new normality", while those with high pre-lockdown depression decreased compared with the pre-lockdown. These findings suggest that COVID-19 restrictions affected the depression level depending on their pre-lockdown depression severity. Individuals with low levels of depression are more reactive to external stimuli than those with more severe depression, so the lockdown may have worse detrimental effects on them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Lavalle
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Elena Condominas
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep Maria Haro
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iago Giné-Vázquez
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Bailon
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el área de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Estela Laporta
- Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el área de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ester Garcia
- Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el área de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Microelectrónica y Sistemas Electrónicos, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Spyridon Kontaxis
- Aragón Institute of Engineering Research (I3A), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Aragón (IIS Aragón), University of Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red en el área de Bioingeniería, Biomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER-BBN), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Gemma Riquelme Alacid
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Federica Lombardini
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Preti
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università degli Studi di Torino, 10124 Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Peñarrubia-Maria
- Health Technology Assessment in Primary Care and Mental Health (PRISMA) Research Group, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Deu, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Deu, 08830 St Boi de Llobregat, Spain
- Unitat de Suport a la Recerca Regió Metropolitana Sud, Fundació Institut Universitari per a la Recerca a l’Atenció Primària de Salut Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol), 08007 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Coromina
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Arranz
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabet Vilella
- Hospital Universitari Institut Pere Mata, 43206 Reus, Spain
- Neuriociències i Salut Mental, Institut d’Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili-CERCA, 43204 Reus, Spain
- Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43003 Reus, Spain
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Elena Rubio-Alacid
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Salud Mental, CIBERSAM-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Faith Matcham
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- School of Psychology, University of Sussex, East Sussex BN1 9QH, UK
| | - Femke Lamers
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health Program, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Matthew Hotopf
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Brenda W. J. H. Penninx
- Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Public Health, Mental Health Program, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Vaibhav Narayan
- Research and Development Information Technology, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Titusville, NJ 08560, USA
| | - Sara K. Simblett
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Sara Siddi
- Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu, CIBERSAM, Departament de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, 08830 Barcelona, Spain
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12
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COVID-19-Associated Acute Psychotic Disorder-Longitudinal Case Report and Brief Review of Literature. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2023; 59:medicina59020408. [PMID: 36837609 PMCID: PMC9963865 DOI: 10.3390/medicina59020408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
Even though since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the literature became more and more abundant on data and hypotheses about the various consequences on people's lives, more clarity needs to be added to the existing information. Besides the stressful experiences related to the COVID-19 pandemic, SARS-CoV-2 infection has been proven to impact brain functioning through direct and indirect pathogenic mechanisms. In this context, we report a case of a patient presenting with a first episode of psychosis following COVID-19. In our case, a 28-year-old male patient with no personal or family psychiatric history developed psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behaviour) that required antipsychotic treatment and inpatient hospitalization one week after he was discharged from the hospital after COVID-19. At the six-month and one-year follow-up, the patient was in remission without any psychotic signs or symptoms. A brief review of the literature is also provided. The case presented in this article outlines the possibility that the post-COVD-19 recovery period might be a crucial time for the onset of acute psychotic disorder, and therefore, routine psychiatric assessments should be carried out during all phases of the disease. A clearer picture of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health will most likely be revealed in the future as many consequences need long-term evaluation.
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Zimmerman M, D'Avanzato C, King BT. Telehealth treatment of patients with major depressive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: Comparative safety, patient satisfaction, and effectiveness to prepandemic in-person treatment. J Affect Disord 2023; 323:624-630. [PMID: 36521663 PMCID: PMC9742046 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic impelled a transition from in-person to telehealth psychiatric treatment. There are no studies of partial hospital telehealth treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). In the present report from the Rhode Island Methods to Improve Diagnostic Assessment and Services (MIDAS) project, we compared the effectiveness of partial hospital care of patients with MDD treated virtually versus in-person. METHODS Outcome was compared in 294 patients who were treated virtually from May 2020 to December 2021 to 542 patients who were treated in the in-person partial program in the 2 years prior to the pandemic. Patients completed self-administered measures of patient satisfaction, symptoms, coping ability, functioning, and general well-being. RESULTS In both the in-person and telehealth groups, patients with MDD were highly satisfied with treatment and reported a significant reduction in symptoms from admission to discharge. Both groups also reported a significant improvement in positive mental health, general well-being, coping ability, and functioning. A large effect size of treatment was found in both treatment groups. Contrary to our hypothesis, the small differences in outcome favored the telehealth-treated patients. The length of stay and the likelihood of staying in treatment until completion were significantly greater in the virtually treated patients. LIMITATIONS The treatment groups were ascertained sequentially, and telehealth treatment was initiated after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Outcome assessment was limited to a self-administered questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS In an intensive acute care setting, delivering treatment to patients with MDD using a virtual, telehealth platform was as effective as treating patients in-person.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Zimmerman
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States.
| | - Catherine D'Avanzato
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Brittany T King
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States
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14
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Kunzler AM, Lindner S, Röthke N, Schäfer SK, Metzendorf MI, Sachkova A, Müller-Eberstein R, Klinger C, Burns J, Coenen M, Lieb K. Mental Health Impact of Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Individuals with Pre-Existing Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:948. [PMID: 36673705 PMCID: PMC9858748 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20020948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In view of disease-related threats, containment measures, and disrupted healthcare, individuals with pre-existing mental illness might be vulnerable to adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous reviews indicated increased mental distress, with limited information on peri-pandemic changes. In this systematic review, we aimed to identify longitudinal research investigating pre- to peri-pandemic and/or peri-pandemic changes of mental health in patients, focusing on the early phase and considering specific diagnoses. PsycINFO, Web of Science, the WHO Global literature on coronavirus disease database, and the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register weresearched through 31 May 2021. Studies were synthesized using vote counting based on effect direction. We included 40 studies mostly from Western, high-income countries. Findings were heterogeneous, with improving and deteriorating mental health observed compared to pre-pandemic data, partly depending on underlying diagnoses. For peri-pandemic changes, evidence was limited, with some suggestion of recovery of mental distress. Study quality was heterogeneous; only few studies investigated potential moderators (e.g., chronicity of mental illness). Mental health effects on people with pre-existing conditions are heterogeneous within and across diagnoses for pre- to peri-pandemic and peri-pandemic comparisons. To improve mental health services amid future global crises, forthcoming research should understand medium- and long-term effects, controlling for containment measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela M. Kunzler
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Institute for Evidence in Medicine, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79110 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Saskia Lindner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Nikolaus Röthke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Sarah K. Schäfer
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maria-Inti Metzendorf
- Institute of General Practice (ifam), Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandra Sachkova
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center of the Georg August University Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Roxana Müller-Eberstein
- Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Carmen Klinger
- Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Jacob Burns
- Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Michaela Coenen
- Chair of Public Health and Health Services Research, Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology (IBE), LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Pettenkofer School of Public Health, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Lieb
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR), 55122 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
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15
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First access to mental health services during COVID-19 pandemic: A multicenter study. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2023; 11:100460. [PMID: 36506487 PMCID: PMC9726655 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2022.100460] [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: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health is complex and affects a broad segment of the population. Several studies indicate that depressive, anxious and post-traumatic symptoms are common in people exposed to SARS-Cov2. METHODS 458 subjects were recruited during their first consultation in outpatient psychiatric services between June 2020 and October 2021. Post-traumatic, depressive and anxious symptoms were assessed using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Beck Depression Inventory Scale-second edition (BDI-II), and the Self Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). A specific set of questions was developed, with the aim of evaluating socio-demographic variables and work, environmental and personal characteristics related to the pandemic. RESULTS Prevalence rates of clinically significant depressive, anxious and post-traumatic symptoms were 57.6%, 63.5% and 54.8%, respectively. Female gender, worsening of relationship status and financial consequences due to the pandemic were the conditions most strongly associated with the presence of psychopathology. LIMITATION The cross-sectional design of the study doesn't allow an evaluation over time of the sample. No assumption of causality can be made due to the lack of pre-pandemic assessments for the investigated variables. CONCLUSIONS The impact of the pandemic involves depressive, anxious and post-traumatic dimensions. The investigated psychopathology correlates with several variables expressing the personal and environmental changes that occurred in the population due to the COVID-19 emergency. The study is multicentric and the recruitment of participants was held in a clinical setting, providing a realistic picture of the consequences of the pandemic in clinical practice within mental health services.
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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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The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on health behavior and psychopathology in patients with psychotic disorders. Psychiatry Res 2022; 317:114845. [PMID: 36155276 PMCID: PMC9472751 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In our study we aimed to investigate the effect of the pandemic period on disease severity, medication adherence, suicidal behavior, physical health and health behavior in patients with psychotic disorders. 255 patients with any of the diagnoses of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder, Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features and Major Depressive Disorder with psychotic features were included, 200 were assessed by telephone and 55 face-to-face. The patient's sociodemographic status, cigarette-alcohol use, physical diseases, body weight, suicidal behaviors, and the effects of the pandemic period on general health were assessed. Clinical global impression scale(CGI) and modified medication adherence scale(MMS) were also administered. We showed that the MMS scores of the patients significantly decreased compared to the pre-pandemic period. In our study, suicidal behavior and decrease in medication adherence during the pandemic period were found to be correlated with higher scores of CGI- Severity and Improvement Scale. Our study is one of the few studies that addresses the effects of the pandemic period on patients with psychotic disorders. The results show that the pandemic period is associated with an increase in negative health behavior and clinical worsening in patients with psychotic disorders. In order to confirm these findings, more research is needed in this area.
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18
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Mueller-Stierlin AS, Meixner F, Lehle J, Kohlmann A, Schumacher M, Woehler S, Haensel A, Reuter S, Herder K, Bias N, Becker T, Kilian R. Perceived empowerment and the impact of negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life of persons with severe mental illness. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0276123. [PMID: 36264893 PMCID: PMC9584414 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Beyond its direct effects on physical health the COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have negative effects on the living situation of people with severe mental illness (SMI). To date, there has been little research on resilience factors preventing people with SMI from experiencing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of perceived empowerment (PE) as a resilience factor, preventing people with SMI from experiencing negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily living. Methods We investigated negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on daily living in 931 persons with SMI at two times within six month between June 2020 and Mai 2021. To take into account the longitudinal structure of the data we applied mixed effects regression analyses and longitudinal path models. Results A majority of participants experienced negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on several dimensions of daily living. Negative effects increased with rising levels of illness-related impairment but decreased as the level of PE rose. While negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic at follow-up were negatively associated with overall subjective quality of life baseline, PE was negatively associated with the negative impact of the pandemic and positively with quality of life. Conclusion Patients with SMI need support to reduce negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on their quality of life. The promotion of PE could help strengthen resilience in this target group. Trial registration German Clinical Trial Register, DRKS00019086, registered on 3 January 2020. (https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00019086).
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabel Sandra Mueller-Stierlin
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
- Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Jutta Lehle
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Anne Kohlmann
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Mara Schumacher
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | | | - Anke Haensel
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Sabrina Reuter
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Herder
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Nicole Bias
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Becker
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Reinhold Kilian
- Department of Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Günzburg, Germany
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19
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Comparison of the anxiety level between the medical staff and the public during the early phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE 2022. [PMID: 37521813 PMCID: PMC9555553 DOI: 10.1097/ec9.0000000000000038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background A sudden outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. Up-to-date, there have been limited studies examining the anxiety status of Chinese individuals in the early phase of the pandemic period (January 30, 2020–February 15, 2020). This survey aimed to compare the level of anxiety of the medical staff with that of the public and to provide a theoretical basis for developing an effective psychological intervention. Method Questionnaires were sent on the Internet (http://www.wjx.cn) during this period. The anxiety levels of Chinese people were investigated using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and the demographic data were collected simultaneously. Results A total of 1110 participants were enrolled in this study, with an effective response rate of 100%. A total of 482 respondents were medical staff (43.4%), while 628 were members of the general public (56.6%). The medical staff itself had a higher SAS score than the general public (48.36±13.40 vs. 45.74±11.79, P < 0.01), while the medical staff in Wuhan were more anxious than the public in Wuhan with a higher SAS score (54.17±14.08 vs. 48.53±11.92, P < 0.01). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the anxiety levels of the medical staff and the public, with the medical personnel showing a higher anxiety level than the public, especially female medical staff in Wuhan. Therefore, urgent intervention programs to reduce anxiety should be implemented.
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Vasiliu O, Mangalagiu AG, Petrescu BM, Candea CA, Tudor C, Vasile D. Analysis of COVID-19-related psychiatric disorders: clinical manifestations and therapeutic considerations. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MILITARY MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.55453/rjmm.2022.125.3.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, neuropsychiatric disorders have been diagnosed both in the acute phase, and in the aftermath of this disease. Inpatients, as well as outpatients recently diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe forms of Coronavirus infection have reported neuropsychiatric manifestations with variable duration, symptoms that could be directly or indirectly related to the viral pathogenic agent. Patients who are recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19 also may exhibit various psychopathological manifestations, during the so-called “post-COVID-19 syndrome” or “long COVID-19 syndrome”. Explanations regarding the onset of this type of clinical manifestations and the SARS-CoV-2 infection are extremely diverse, ranging from biological factors (e.g., direct central nervous system viral activity, cerebral hypo-oxygenation, high level of inflammatory response) to psycho-social stressors (e.g., isolation, fear of death, anxiety related to possible somatic complications or sequelae). Objectives: The primary objective of this article was to analyze psychiatric manifestations in patients with acute COVID-19 disease and in patients during post-COVID-19 phase. The secondary objective was to propose a conceptual framework for the evaluation and treatment of these patients. Methods: Patients included in this analysis were screened positive for COVID-19 infection in the last 6 months before their first psychiatric examination. These patients were further evaluated to detect any personal history of psychiatric disorders, somatic comorbidities, or significant concomitant pharmacological treatments. Specific scales for the measurement of symptoms severity and functional impairment were administered in all patients. Results: Five patients were included in this analysis, one during the acute phase of COVID-19 infection, and four patients were evaluated after the complete remission of this disease. Hyperactive delirium, mild neurocognitive disorder, major depressive episode, panic disorder with agoraphobia, or acute psychotic disorder were the main diagnoses in these patients. All patients received adequate treatment and they were monitored using psychological scales until symptoms remission or stabilisation. Conclusions: Psychosocial stressors, neurobiological changes, systemic inflammatory reaction, and individual vulnerability factors may contribute to a diathesis-stress model for psychiatric disorders onset within the acute phase or after the remission of acute manifestations in COVID-19-diagnosed patients
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21
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Fellendorf FT, Bonkat N, Platzer M, Schönthaler E, Ratzenhofer M, Bengesser SA, Dalkner N, Reininghaus EZ. Willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 is equal in individuals with affective disorders and healthy controls. Vaccine X 2022; 11:100186. [PMID: 35755141 PMCID: PMC9213006 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100186] [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: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Affective disorders such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are associated with higher infection rates and a more severe course of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In turn, COVID-19 could trigger mental disease relapse. Vaccinations lead to a reduction of infections and the prevention of severe courses. This work aims to survey the willingness of individuals with affective disorders to get vaccinated and concerns about vaccinations. METHODS An online study (April-May 2021) assessed the current infection and vaccination rate amongst individuals with affective disorder in Austria by surveying attitudes towards the vaccination, the willingness to get vaccinated soon and possible reasons for decision. The analyses included 59 individuals with affective disorders and 59 healthy controls, matched for sex and age. RESULTS There was an overall high willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Individuals with affective disorders were more skeptical about vaccinations in general but there was no significant difference between the groups in the willingness to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In both groups reasons for waiting were mainly fears of acute and/or long-term side effects and the fast development of the vaccines. LIMITATIONS It was a cross sectional design. Due to the online design, no objective rating of current psychopathological symptoms was assessed. Willingness to get vaccinated in general and against COVID-19 in particular were self-created variables, whereas item statistics and factor analysis were conducted. DISCUSSION Because of the higher risk for individuals with affective disorders, preventive strategies like vaccinating should be promoted in this group. It is important to help individuals with AD to overcome barriers such as negative beliefs and concerns about acute and/or long-term side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederike T Fellendorf
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nina Bonkat
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martina Platzer
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elena Schönthaler
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michaela Ratzenhofer
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Susanne A Bengesser
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Nina Dalkner
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Z Reininghaus
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
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22
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Ortner J, Bengesser SA, Wagner-Skacel J, Fellendorf FT, Fleischmann E, Ratzenhofer M, Lenger M, Queissner R, Tmava-Berisha A, Platzer M, Maget A, Pilz R, Birner A, Reininghaus E, Dalkner N. [COVID-19 and Bipolar Affective Disorder: Subjective Changes in Lifestyle Variables During the First Lockdown During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Austria]. FORTSCHRITTE DER NEUROLOGIE-PSYCHIATRIE 2022; 91:32-44. [PMID: 35882365 PMCID: PMC9873412 DOI: 10.1055/a-1871-9628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic with its protective measures (e. g. lockdown) had far-reaching effects on everyone's well-being. The aim of this study was to examine lifestyle variables during the first Austrian lockdown in patients with bipolar disorder in comparison to a healthy control group and to assess subjective changes caused by the pandemic. METHOD At the beginning of April 2020, an online survey of n=75 participants (35 people with bipolar disorder and 40 healthy controls) with standardized questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory-2, Food Craving Inventory, Altman Self Rating Mania Scale) as well as non-standardized COVID-19-specific questions on the subject of "Psychological stress and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in bipolar disorder" was created and distributed via LimeSurvey. RESULTS Both groups reported a negative impact on their mental health. The participants with bipolar disorder showed significantly higher values in the Beck Depression Inventory-2 score (p<0,001), in emotional distress due to social distancing (p=0,003) and significantly lower values in muscle-strengthening exercise (p=0,039) and in sport units (p=0,003) compared to the control group. In addition, patients with bipolar disorder smoked more often than individuals of the control group. People with bipolar disorder were 42,9% more likely to report they were less efficient during the pandemic, and 22,9% experienced weight gain compared to before the pandemic. The control group, on the other hand, was less efficient at 17,5% and 5,0% reported weight gain. However, a comparison with pre-pandemic data showed a decrease in food craving in both groups. CONCLUSION This study provided first evidence of self-reported adverse effects on mental stress and lifestyle in people with bipolar disorder at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychiatric care and early interventions for patients with bipolar disorder would be particularly important in times of crisis in order to help maintain a healthy lifestyle and thus counteract unfavourable developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Ortner
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Susanne A. Bengesser
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich,Korrespondenzadresse Research Prof. Priv.-Doz. DDr. Susanne
A. Bengesser Medical University
GrazPsychiatryAuenbruggerplatz
318036
GrazAustria004331638586224004331638586224
| | - Jolana Wagner-Skacel
- Universitätsklinik für Medizinische Psychologie und
Psychotherapie, Medizinische Universität Graz,
Österreich
| | - Frederike T. Fellendorf
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Eva Fleischmann
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Michaela Ratzenhofer
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Melanie Lenger
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Robert Queissner
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Adelina Tmava-Berisha
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Martina Platzer
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Alexander Maget
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - René Pilz
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich,FH JOANNEUM, Diätologie, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Birner
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Eva Reininghaus
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
| | - Nina Dalkner
- Psychiatry, Medical University Graz, Austria Universitätsklinik
für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin, Medizinische
Universität Graz, Österreich
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23
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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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24
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Dalkner N, Ratzenhofer M, Fleischmann E, Fellendorf FT, Bengesser S, Birner A, Maget A, Großschädl K, Lenger M, Platzer M, Queissner R, Schönthaler E, Tmava-Berisha A, Berndt C, Martini J, Bauer M, Sperling JD, Vinberg M, Reininghaus EZ. Psychological and behavioral response on the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with bipolar disorder: A multicenter study. Psychiatry Res 2022; 310:114451. [PMID: 35190338 PMCID: PMC8847084 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2022.114451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affects both mentally healthy and ill individuals. Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) constitute an especially vulnerable group. A multicentric online study was conducted in Austria, Denmark, and Germany after the first lockdown phase in 2020. In total, 117 healthy controls (HC) were matched according to age and sex to 117 individuals with BD. The survey included the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Beck Depression Inventory-2, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and a self-constructed questionnaire assessing COVID-19 fears, emotional distress due to social distancing, lifestyle, and compliance to governmental measures. In individuals with BD, increased symptoms of depression, somatization, anxiety, distress due to social distancing, and poorer sleep quality were related to emotional distress due to social distancing. The correlation between emotional distress due to social distancing and anxiety showed 26% of shared variance in BD and 11% in HC. Negative lifestyle changes and lower compliance with COVID-19 regulatory measures were more likely to be observed in individuals with BD than in HC. These findings underscore the need for ongoing mental health support during the pandemic. Individuals with BD should be continuously supported during periods of social distancing to maintain a stable lifestyle and employ strategies to cope with COVID-19 fears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Dalkner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michaela Ratzenhofer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Eva Fleischmann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Frederike T. Fellendorf
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria,Corresponding author at: Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Austria
| | - Susanne Bengesser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Armin Birner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Alexander Maget
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katja Großschädl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Melanie Lenger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Martina Platzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Robert Queissner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Elena Schönthaler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Adelina Tmava-Berisha
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Christina Berndt
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Julia Martini
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Bauer
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, Carl Gustav Carus University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Jon Dyg Sperling
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Hillerød,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
| | - May Vinberg
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Psychiatric Centre North Zealand, Hillerød,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen
| | - Eva Z. Reininghaus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapeutic Medicine, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
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25
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In Patients with Obesity, Are Affective Temperaments Associated with Attrition? An Evaluation during and before the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030862. [PMID: 35160313 PMCID: PMC8836900 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Timely data on attrition from weight loss programs for patients with obesity during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic are lacking, so we aimed to contribute to filling this gap in the literature by comparing attrition during or outside of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and its possible association with patients' affective temperaments, psychopathology, and clinical variables. Two-hundred and eleven outpatients with obesity were recruited and completed the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, and San Diego Auto-questionnaire, Binge Eating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Those who dropped out during the pandemic period were mostly men, with younger age of weight gain, and with a larger waist circumference than completers. Patients with obesity who dropped out outside of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic showed marked levels of depression, anxiety, binge eating episodes, and higher affective temperaments (but the hyperthymic one) when compared to their counterparts. The cyclothymic temperament slightly increased attrition (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.00-1.27 p = 0.05) outside the pandemic, while during the pandemic, male gender (OR = 3.50, 1.04-11.7, p = 0.04) was associated with attrition. These findings suggested that male patients with obesity are at particular risk of drop-out from weight-loss treatment during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic; contrariwise, outside the pandemic, affective temperaments could be a useful baseline assessment for defining the attrition risk in these patients.
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Wells CC, White L, Schmidt T, Rataj S, McEachern D, Wisnieski D, Garnie J, Kirk T, Moto R, Wexler L. Adapting PC CARES to Continue Suicide Prevention in Rural Alaska During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Narrative Overview of an In-Person Community-Based Suicide Prevention Program Moving Online. AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 29:126-154. [PMID: 35881985 PMCID: PMC10732495 DOI: 10.5820/aian.2902.2022.126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This paper presents how a community mobilization program to prevent suicide was adapted to an online format to accommodate the impossibility of in-person delivery in Alaska Native communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention, Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide (PC CARES), was created collaboratively by researchers and Alaska Native communities with the goal of bringing community members together to create research-informed and community-led suicide prevention activities in their communities. To continue our work during the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, we adapted the PC CARES model to a synchronous remote delivery format. This shift included moving from predominantly Alaska Native participants to one of a mainly non-Native school staff audience. This required a pivot from Alaska Native self-determination toward cultural humility and community collaboration for school-based staff, with multilevel youth suicide prevention remaining the primary aim. This reorientation can offer important insight into how to build more responsive programs for those who are not from the communities they serve. Here, we provide a narrative overview of our collaborative adaptation process, illustrated by data collected during synchronous remote facilitation of the program, and reflect on how the shift in format and audience impacted program delivery and content. The adaptation process strove to maintain the core animating features of self-determination for Alaska Native communities and people as well as the translation of scientific knowledge to practice for greater impact.
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27
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Di Lorenzo R, Pinelli M, Bertani D, Cutino A, Dragone D, Elia C, Farina R, Fiore G, Luisi F, Panico S, Valeo L, Rovesti S, Ferri P. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Psychiatric Emergencies in Two Different Settings: Emergency Room and Community Mental Health Service. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:894939. [PMID: 35693974 PMCID: PMC9178082 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.894939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic caused a public health emergency with profound consequences on physical and mental health of individuals. Emergency Rooms (ER) and Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) played a key role in the management of psychiatric emergencies during the pandemic. The purpose of the study was to evaluate urgent psychiatric consultations (UPCs) in the ERs of the General Hospitals and in the CMHS of a Northern Italian town during the pandemic period. METHODS This monocentric observational study collected UPCs carried out in ER from 01/03/2020 to 28/02/2021 (the so called "COVID-19 period") and the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who required UPCs in the 12-months period, comparing these data with those collected from 01/03/2019 to 29/02/2020 (the so called "pre-COVID-19 period"). The same variables were collected for UPCs carried out in CMHS from 01/03/2020 to 31/01/2021 and compared with those collected from 01/03/2019 to 31/01/2020. The data, were statistically analyzed through STATA 12-2011. RESULTS In ER, we reported a 24% reduction in UPCs during the COVID-19 period (n = 909) in comparison with the pre-COVID-19 period (n = 1,194). Differently, we observed an increase of 4% in UPCs carried out in CMHS during the COVID-19 period (n = 1,214) in comparison with the previous period (n = 1,162). We observed an increase of UPCs in ER required by people who lived in psychiatric facilities or with disability pension whereas more UPCs in CMHS were required by older people or those living in other institutions compared to the previous period. In the COVID-19 period, the most frequent reasons for UPCs in ER were aggressiveness, socio-environmental maladjustment and psychiatric symptoms in organic disorders whereas in CMHS we reported an increase of UPCs for control of psychopharmacology therapy and mixed state/mania. CONCLUSION In light of our findings, we conclude that the most vulnerable people required more frequent attention and care in both ER and CMHS during pandemic, which disrupted individuals' ability to adapt and induced many stressful reactive symptoms. In order to reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, psychological support interventions for the general population should be implemented, having particular regard for more psychologically fragile people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Di Lorenzo
- Service of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Care, Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addictions, AUSL Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Margherita Pinelli
- Community Mental Health Service, Department of Mental Health and Pathological Addictions, AUSL Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Davide Bertani
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Anna Cutino
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Diego Dragone
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Claudia Elia
- School of Nursing, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Riccardo Farina
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gianluca Fiore
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Filippa Luisi
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sofia Panico
- School of Nursing, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Laura Valeo
- School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Sergio Rovesti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Ferri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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