AFTERMATH OF COVID19 PANDEMIC

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 prompted consternation in many parts of the world. Due to its fast spreading, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic in March 2020.

In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases was reported in the province of Hubei, China. It was then discovered that the infection was caused by a virus, named SARS-CoV-2. Subsequently, the illness caused by this virus was termed Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Unlike other virus outbreaks of the 21st century, such as SARS and MERS, which were primarily disseminated in hospital environments, COVID-19 is inimitable in the way it has spread far beyond health centres’ boundaries. With the entire population at risk, the necessary restricting measures have created a matchless scenario, dominated by Fear and Uncertainty. Even though fear is an essential adaptive mechanism that humans and other species have developed to cope with threats in the environment, it can only be supportive for those who feel capable of dealing with the menaces existing specifically to them.  To those who consider themselves as unable to handle such risks, fear can trigger defence responses in a conjuncture where the fear is not only of death but also of the effects in a myriad of different spheres, community isolation, and economic values.

In the pandemic background, stressors must also be considered in the assessment of the emotional and neuropsychological impact. These mainly include COVID-19-related circumstances, such as potential exposure to the virus and loss of loved ones, as well as secondary adversities due to economic difficulties, unavailability of food, psychosocial effects, disruption of future plans and underlying physical and psychological conditions.

The ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19 has set off a distinct economic crisis in all sectors and may inten-sify psychological disorders, for instance, anxiety, depression, PTSD, alcohol misuse, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive behaviours, panic and wariness.

Anxiety, one of the main evaluated subjects has been significantly increasing in society during this pandemic. Especially, health anxiety. It is characterized mainly by catastrophic misinterpretations of bodily sensations, dysfunctional beliefs about health and illness and maladaptive coping behaviours and the consequence is the development of obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to their health status.

Another alarming condition that can be expected to increase is post-traumatic stress disorder. The adverse effects of this illness are not manifested immediately and mental health support must be prepared to deal with this issue in a few months and is more likely to take place after longer periods of social disconnection and it is associated with increased substance abuse, alcoholism, and suicide risk by 2–5 times.

In light of all the harmful complications that derive from the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that the government, the health authorities and the population articulate to endorse preventive and supportive measures, not only for the transmission of the disease, but also for emotional, behavioural and psychological impact and it is important to include mental health professionals to manage the pandemic more broadly. Their knowledge and experience are crucial to monitor the situation and to coordinate supportive measures in order to prevent an even higher increase in psychological disorders including fear, anxiety, addiction, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It is crucial that the health authorities, the government and the population articulate to assist the vulnerable groups and promote emotional and psychological support strategies. Moreover, it is fundamental that the entire population, particularly the vulnerable individuals are provided with accurate information, and support to alleviate the mental burden of COVID-19.

Sreelaksmi Sreekumar - IInd Pharm-D