Health

Report: Patients suffering from COVID-related psychological distress

Physicians need to be aware of the highest risk groups to provide quality care that meets all needs

new Report Indicates that 1 in 3 adults is experiencing the psychological distress associated with COVID-19. This is something doctors need to consider when developing a treatment plan. According to researchers, adverse effects are more common in women, young adults, rural residents, those at high risk of infection, and those with low socioeconomic status.

Psychological distress can manifest itself as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and insomnia.

“Understanding these factors is important for designing prevention programs and mental health resource plans in the event of a rapidly evolving COVID-19 outbreak,” said Duke NUS’s Health Services and Systems Research Program, which led the study. Professor Tazeen Jafar of the University of Singapore said: statement. “These factors can be used to identify populations at high risk of psychological distress, which can provide targeted remote and face-to-face interventions.”

Jafar and her team conducted a meta-analysis of 68 studies conducted during the pandemic, targeting 288,830 participants from 19 countries and identifying risk factors associated with general population anxiety and depression. I evaluated it.

The finding that women are more likely to experience psychological distress than men is consistent with other global studies showing that anxiety and depression are more common in women. “Women’s lower social status compared to men and lack of prioritized access to health care may be the cause of the exaggeration of psychosocial adverse effects on women,” the researchers suggest. did. “Therefore, mental health services outreach programs need to be actively targeted at women.”

The study also showed that young adults under the age of 35 are more likely to experience psychological distress than young adults over the age of 35. The reason for this is unknown, but previous studies suggest that it may be due to greater access by young people to COVID-19 information through the media. This current study also confirmed that longer media exposure was associated with higher odds of anxiety and depression. However, having stronger family and social support and using proactive coping strategies has been shown to reduce the risk of psychological distress.

“Citizens and healthcare professionals need to be aware of high prices Burden of psychological distress During pandemic and coping strategy education, patients need to seek help and be encouraged to receive appropriate referrals and access to mental health counseling services, “Jafar said.

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Report: Patients suffering from COVID-related psychological distress