Mental disorders of non-psychotic level during the pandemic of coronavirus infection

Abstract

The coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is a pressing problem of the 21st century, since in a short period of time the epidemic of this infection rapidly developed into the pandemic with ensuing medical and socio-economic consequences. The impact of the pandemic on the mental health of the population is explained both by the direct biological impact of the virus on the human body and by associated psychosocial factors. The purpose of our work is to study the clinical picture and dynamics of non-psychotic mental disorders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials. An analysis of 991 archival medical records of the patients who were treated in the Psychotherapy Department, Altai Regional Clinical Psychiatric Hospital named after Yury Karlovich Erdman, for 2021–2022 was carried out. Of these, 246 patients (24.8 %) had a history of COVID-19 or associated the occurrence of mental disorders with this infection. In addition, a clinical study and follow-up of 45 patients was carried out in the same department. Results. COVID-19 is a significant factor in the development of non-psychotic mental disorders. Initial use of mental health care accounts for 42 %. The mean age of the patients was 47 years. It has been found that women are more susceptible to such disorders than men. After suffering from COVID-19 infection, the level of anxiety doubled, and a significant increase in depressed mood (from 57.1 to 85.7 %), sleep disturbances (from 67.8 to 82.1 %), phobias (from 71.4 up to 78.6 %), as well as asthenic symptoms, was noted. At the end of the treatment, a reduction in mental disorders was noted. Conclusion. The study convincingly showed the high prevalence of non-psychotic mental disorders associated with COVID-19. People of working age with pre-existing neurotic disorders are more vulnerable to the effects of the pandemic than others. In the clinical picture, three main psychopathological syndromes were identified: anxious-depressive, asthenic-depressive, and anxious-phobic. Complex treatment (psychopharmacotherapy, psychotherapy) in the psychotherapy department of a 24‑hour psychiatric hospital showed high effectiveness.