Stronger psychological reaction of patients in depression and remission to the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland compared to the non-clinical group.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to compare the subjective mental state of patients in an ongoing episode of depression and in remission (clinical group) and the group without depressive disorders and other mental disorders in their life so far (non-clinical group) in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the first economic shutdown in Poland (March 12, 2020-May 3, 2020), using an anonymous online survey, we assessed the subjective mental state of 2,284 people in three groups: with an ongoing depressive episode - 265 patients, in remission - 574 patients, and without mental disorders (including depression) - 1,445 people. The outbreak of the pandemic had a negative impact on the subjective mental state of the respondents. In the group with depression, stress of varying intensity was experienced by 98.11% of the respondents, in the group in remission by 93.9%, and in the group without depression in the past by 93.43%. Depressed mood was declared by 51.32% of depressed patients, 21.60% of patients in remission and 11.97% of patients without mental disorders. Daily anxiety attacks occurred in 46.42% of patients with depression, in 20.21% of patients in remission and 5.88% of respondents in the non-clinical group. The results of the survey show that patients with an ongoing episode of depression and remission subjectively felt worse than the non-clinical group in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland. At the same time, previously healthy people also reported unusual intensification of anxiety and depressive symptoms. For this reason it is important to continue the comprehensive treatment of people with depressive disorders and to simultaneously prevent mental disorders in the non-clinical population.