COPSYC-19: The impact of early phase lockdown on mental health among people with psychotic disorders.

Abstract

On March 12th 2020 extensive measures were implemented to prevent spread of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). These measures were commonly referred to as "lockdown". In this study we investigate the psychological impact associated with living under these circumstances among patients with psychotic disorders receiving care from specialized mental health services in Norway. During early phases of lockdown, patients and clinicians receiving and providing mental health care for psychotic disorders in specialized health services at Oslo University Hospital were asked to fill out questionnaires developed for the study. 129 participants from outpatient clinics (91 patients and 38 clinicians) and 89 from inpatient wards (15 patients and 74 clinicians) were recruited. Data regarding mental health and related symptoms were analysed using Wilcoxon signed rank tests and standard multiple regression. Outpatients reported significantly less extensive worrying, loneliness and hallucinatory experiences during early phase lockdown compared to the two weeks prior. Reductions in loneliness were predictive of experienced improvement in subjective mental health. However, the majority of clinicians from outpatient clinics believed their patients were experiencing more worrying and loneliness. The result of this study suggests that many patients with psychosis experienced less loneliness, excessive worrying and hallucinations during the first phase of lockdown. This contrasts the clinicians' perceptions, as the patients show signs of resilience during times of uncertainty. The limitation in the study timeframe should be noted.