Out-Patient Cases of Mental Disorders in COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The relevance of publication is due to the significant frequency of mental disorders during the times of infectious diseases. The coronavirus epidemic in Russia in 2020 was associated with various factors contributing to panic experience, the occurrence of reactive and / or induced mental disorders and exacerbation of existing ones. However, a targeted analysis of such disorders is not yet presented in the domestic scientific literature.The aim: to describe the symptoms and the phenomenology of some mental disorders during the coronavirus epidemic and to discuss its possible pathway.Materials and methods: 13 persons aged 14–66 years admitted to out-patient clinics were examined by psychiatrist. Clinical interview was used as well as experimental psychological examination (MMPI scale) and WHO quality of life questionnaire. Some patients and their relatives or other informants were interviewed on-line. Schizophrenia patients and patients with schizophrenic spectrum disorders were not included in the research.Discussion of results: mental disorders during the coronavirus epidemic present heterogenous group due to phenomenological and etiological differences. Age, gender and social status are not critical. It is likely that the preceding personality characteristics such as the presence of borderline psychopathology, suggestibility, emotional dependence, stress tolerance, loneliness, attitude to death, somatic diseases could play the main role in the occurrence of these disorders.Conclusions: according to preliminary data, mental disorders during the period of the coronavirus epidemic do not fundamentally differ from disorders during other epidemics or emergency situation. However, long-term social isolation of people due to contact limitation and repeated explanations of its necessity in media could cause long-term anxiety and depletion of psychological defense mechanisms, acquired great pathogenic significance in this epidemic. Taking into account the mentioned factors and impact of economic crisis anxiety, COVID-19 and its psychological and psychiatric consequence may be considered as needed research.