One of the reasons why little attention is paid on the psychological effect of Covid-19 in the current treatment is the lack of an appropriate psychometric instrument. Therefore, to be able to provide further information to facilitate public health initiatives on allaying public’s fears, a study in Iran developed and validated a scale assessing the fear of coronavirus. The researchers named the scale as the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S)

The Fear of COVID-19 Scale: Development and Initial Validation

Due to the rapid spread of Covid-19, many countries have resorted to lockdowns in order to contain the virus. However, the lockdown has lead to a rapid decline in the economy. The downturn in economy not only hinders people's ability to access health services (especially in insurance-based systems), the stress associated with the decline and the sense of isolation can also have adverse mental health effects on many people. International organisations, including WHO, advocate for integration of mental health and psychosocial support into the COVID-19 response. However, the economic decline makes such efforts harder, and as such both short-term adaptations and sustained responses are pressing issues in order to effectively address the mental health issues.

How mental health care should change as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic

Investigating the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic has required the development of new, pandemic-specific psychological measurements and psychometric instruments.

Syracuse University

Smith College

Google

The psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic encompass several distinct categories and areas of focus. These include cognitive impacts, long-term prognoses, psychosocial impacts on different societal groups, substance use issues, and romantic relationship conflicts. Understanding these impacts has also necessitated the creation of new psychological measurements and targeted strategies to combat the pandemic's toll on mental health.

Categories of Psychological Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the extensive life and routine changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use issues have emerged as increasingly relevant public health problems that need to be addressed.

Substance Use Issues Associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 patients have reported mental fatigue and loss of concentration.  Severe cognitive impairment is reported by people with secondary illnesses.  Encephalopathy (damage to brain) is observed after extubation.  This could be because of sedation or mechanical ventilation.  Damage to the brain can occur from bacteria during ventilation. 
 



Cognitive impacts of COVID-19

Many reports show that most patients can return to their roles and recover fully but some survivors will have lasting disability.  Sedation affects recall which is why those patients won't necessarily have a long lasting trauma but patients who are conscious may experience anxiety especially when they are physically disabled or dependent due to the virus.  Risk of depression increases when the patients are separated from their families for a prolonged period of time.  Loss of independence is experience and many have to go through outpatient psychotherapy.

Long-term prognosis and psychological impacts

- Children

- Domestic caregivers

- Old age

- Marginalized community

- General public

- People who have or had COVID-19

- People with pre-existing mental health disorders

- Health-care workers

Psychological Effects of COVID-19 on different sections of society

- Mental Disorders
- Mental Health and psychological distress
- Mental Health Care
- Mental Health Consequences and physical distancing
- Mental Health Risk Factors
- Students mental health

Mental health focuses (COVID-19)

- Accurate dissemination of health and related information to the public
- Addition of psychologists and psychiatrists to the COVID-19 task force
- Have HCPs take a bigger role in mental health care of patients
- Identification of high-risk groups (psychologically)
- Improved screening of psychiatric morbidities
- Integration of hospital and community resources
- Psycho-education (preventative)
- Psychological interventions and psychosocial support
- Psychological support for frontline workers



Strategies to Combat Psychological Impact of COVID-19

- COVID-19 pandemic causes: disruptions of daily routines, anxiety of the pandemic, lack of physical activity, absence of outside social outlets, lack of access to unperson therapy, and reduced physical contact (e.g. hugging..)
- All may contribute to romantic relationship conflict 
- Previous study showed married couple experienced greater negative impact on mental well-being than unmarried couple during the pandemic 
- Psychological stress impact sexual desire and sexual function; sexual desire and orgasm are known to be supported by a lower-stress environment 
- Life-threatening event and Intense financial stress and economic hardship may lead to relationship conflict


Romantic Relationship Conflict Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Background stress and Changes in Intimate and Sexual Behaviors 


- Psychosocial impact on general public
- Psychosocial impact on healthcare workers
- Psychosocial burden of quarantine and isolation

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