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Covid-19 and mental health

2021-01-11T15:20:21.510Z


It is urgent to prevent and monitor the long-term psychological consequences of the pandemic A woman looks through a window. THE COUNTRY After almost ten months of pandemic, psychological fatigue is taking its toll on society. Among the many consequences that the coronavirus will leave in all spheres of life, there is one that should not be ignored: that of the effects on mental health. The prevention of contagions and the health care of those affected by covid-19 have so far focused car


A woman looks through a window. THE COUNTRY

After almost ten months of pandemic, psychological fatigue is taking its toll on society.

Among the many consequences that the coronavirus will leave in all spheres of life, there is one that should not be ignored: that of the effects on mental health.

The prevention of contagions and the health care of those affected by covid-19 have so far focused care priorities, but the persistence of the threat and the constant setbacks in the control of the pandemic are having serious mental consequences that must be addressed urgently to prevent them from becoming chronic.

Social isolation, fear of contagion, uncertainty, financial anguish, fear, or poorly resolved grief are undermining the mental health of many people.

A meta-analysis of 55 published studies found an increase in anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

It also shows a significant increase in cases of insomnia, with a particularly worrying fact: its incidence is twice as high among healthcare personnel, which is an indicator of the impact that overexertion and accumulated tension have on them.

It is urgent to develop prevention mechanisms, follow-up and psychological reinforcement of health workers, especially now that they face a new situation of extreme care pressure.

The WHO already warned in October that the pandemic had paralyzed or reduced mental health devices just when they were most needed to mitigate the effects on people with mental disorders and the general population.

To begin with, a considerable part of those affected by covid-19 suffer mental consequences that must be treated.

The pandemic has also decompensated many mentally ill patients in treatment, who have suffered relapses due to not being able to receive face-to-face assistance or maintain group therapy.

To all this must be added the symptoms that it is triggering in people who have suffered close losses and have not been able to grieve, who have lost their jobs or are alone at a time of so much uncertainty.

During the first wave of the pandemic, an increase in the use of drugs to treat anxiety, depression and stress was already observed.

Specifically, between January and September the sale of these drugs grew in Spain by 4%, about 4.4 million more packages, to exceed 110 million dispensed.

The danger is that part of the reactive mental disorders become chronic if they do not receive adequate attention and lead to persistent mental pathology.

It is therefore necessary to strengthen mental health facilities so that they can meet unmet needs and meet the foreseeable demand.

Source: elparis

All news articles on 2021-01-11

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