scholarly journals Psychological consequences of social isolation and quarantine: Issues related to COVID-19 restrictions

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 778-783
Author(s):  
Marc Jurblum ◽  
Chee H Ng ◽  
David J Castle

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the stark reality of city lockdowns, mass quarantines and social isolation worldwide. The importance of social isolation and quarantine measures to reduce community transmission of COVID-19 must be balanced against the potential impact on the psychological health of the population. Objective The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the psychological and social impacts of human isolation, how these may present and approaches to identifying and mitigating these effects. Discussion Quarantine has been associated with increased rates of suicide, anger, acute stress disorder, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, with symptoms continuing even years after quarantine ends. There are several predisposing risk factors including the inhabited environment, unique aspects of assessment as well as phenomena seen specifically among groups facing isolation together. The article provides management strategies for the general practitioner as well as indicators for referral to further psychological supports.

Author(s):  
Aleksandra Truszczyńska-Baszak ◽  
Monika Guszkowska ◽  
Emilia Dadura ◽  
Adam Tarnowski

AbstractThe aim of the study was to assess the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder in patients after hip acetabular fracture surgery. The study involved 42 patients fulfilling inclusion criteria. Physical ability levels of the patients were determined with the Harris Hip Score, and modified Merle d’Aubigné scale. High risk of post-traumatic stress disorder was assessed with the PTSD-C questionnaire. Patients had in PTSD-C questionnaire 42.86 ± 28,10 points. In Harris Hip Score 63.64 ± 16.06, in Merle scale 11.10 ± 2.82, that was poor results in both scales. Positive correlation with age reached the level of tendency (ρ = 0.294; p = 0.059). Patients at risk of PTSD were in worse functional state measured by HHS (U = 136.0; p = 0.034) and Merle scale (U = 132.0; p = 0.026) and they were older (U = 147.5; p = 0.068). The groups differed significantly in gender ratio (χ2 = 4.01; p = 0.045). Women (8/10) were more often than men (14/32) at risk of PTSD. Patients after surgical fixation of the acetabulum experience significant functional disability. Increased level of disability after fracture and surgery, older age and female sex make patients vulnerable to PTSD. It is advisable to make medical staff who treat accident victims aware towards aspects which may be related to disorders of the patients’ psychological health.


2007 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Forbes ◽  
Mark C Creamer ◽  
Andrea J Phelps ◽  
Anne‐Laure Couineau ◽  
John A Cooper ◽  
...  

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas C Neylan ◽  
Ronald C Kessler ◽  
Kerry J Ressler ◽  
Gari Clifford ◽  
Francesca L Beaudoin ◽  
...  

Abstract Study Objectives Many patients in Emergency Departments (EDs) after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or major depressive episode (MDE). This report from the AURORA study focuses on associations of pre-MVC sleep problems with these outcomes 8 weeks after MVC mediated through peritraumatic distress and dissociation and 2-week outcomes. Methods A total of 666 AURORA patients completed self-report assessments in the ED and at 2 and 8 weeks after MVC. Peritraumatic distress, peritraumatic dissociation, and pre-MVC sleep characteristics (insomnia, nightmares, daytime sleepiness, and sleep duration in the 30 days before the MVC, trait sleep stress reactivity) were assessed retrospectively in the ED. The survey assessed acute stress disorder (ASD) and MDE at 2 weeks and at 8 weeks assessed PTSD and MDE (past 30 days). Control variables included demographics, MVC characteristics, and retrospective reports about PTSD and MDE in the 30 days before the MVC. Results Prevalence estimates were 41.0% for 2-week ASD, 42.0% for 8-week PTSD, 30.5% for 2-week MDE, and 27.2% for 8-week MDE. Pre-MVC nightmares and sleep stress reactivity predicted 8-week PTSD (mediated through 2-week ASD) and MDE (mediated through the transition between 2-week and 8-week MDE). Pre-MVC insomnia predicted 8-week PTSD (mediated through 2-week ASD). Estimates of population attributable risk suggest that blocking effects of sleep disturbance might reduce prevalence of 8-week PTSD and MDE by as much as one-third. Conclusions Targeting disturbed sleep in the immediate aftermath of MVC might be one effective way of reducing MVC-related PTSD and MDE.


2004 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-346 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. BRYANT ◽  
R. MAYOU ◽  
L. WIGGS ◽  
A. EHLERS ◽  
G. STORES

Background. Little is known about the psychological and behavioural consequences of road traffic accidents for children. The study aimed to determine the outcome of road traffic accidents on children and their mothers.Method. A 1-year cohort study of consecutive child attenders aged 5–16 years at an Accident and Emergency Department. Data were extracted from medical notes and from interview and self-report at baseline, 3 months and 6 months.Results. The children had an excellent physical outcome. Fifteen per cent suffered acute stress disorder; 25% suffered post-traumatic stress disorder at 3 months and 18% at 6 months. Travel anxiety was frequent. Post-traumatic consequences for mothers were common.Conclusion. Psychological outcome was poor for a minority of children and associated with disability, especially for travel. There were significant family consequences. There is a need for changes in clinical care to prevent, identify and treat distressing and disabling problems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Kleim ◽  
T. Ehring ◽  
A. Ehlers

BackgroundIntrusive re-experiencing in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) comprises distressing sensory impressions from the trauma that seem to occur ‘out of the blue’. A key question is how intrusions are triggered. One possibility is that PTSD is characterized by a processing advantage for stimuli that resemble those that accompanied the trauma, which would lead to increased detection of such cues in the environment.MethodWe used a blurred picture identification task in a cross-sectional (n=99) and a prospective study (n=221) of trauma survivors.ResultsParticipants with acute stress disorder (ASD) or PTSD, but not trauma survivors without these disorders, identified trauma-related pictures, but not general threat pictures, better than neutral pictures. There were no group differences in the rate of trauma-related answers to other picture categories. The relative processing advantage for trauma-related pictures correlated with re-experiencing and dissociation, and predicted PTSD at follow-up.ConclusionsA perceptual processing bias for trauma-related stimuli may contribute to the involuntary triggering of intrusive trauma memories in PTSD.


Hand Therapy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline Miller ◽  
Aimie L Peek ◽  
Dominic Power ◽  
Nicola R Heneghan

Introduction Traumatic upper limb peripheral nerve injuries significantly impact individuals’ function and ability to return to work. Patients with peripheral nerve injury experience ongoing psychological impairments for which they are not routinely treated. The aim of this review was to investigate the psychological consequences of traumatic upper limb peripheral nerve injury. Methods A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, AMED, BNI, the Cochrane libraries and grey literature up to October 2015 was undertaken. Two reviewers independently assessed methodological quality in accordance with Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. Eligibility criteria comprised: adults or adolescents with traumatic upper limb peripheral nerve injury using any measurement of psychological well-being. Results Six studies ( n = 245) met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality varied widely. Evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder at one month, which decreased over time, was reported in three studies. Two studies found a statistically significant correlation between the early presence of post-traumatic stress disorder and reduction in function at 12 or more months. Limited information was available on anxiety, depression and mental quality of life. Combined nerve injuries (in two studies) had significantly higher levels of post-traumatic stress disorder, at one month, compared to those with an isolated nerve injury. Conclusion There is some evidence of early post-traumatic stress disorder following traumatic upper limb peripheral nerve injury, which may have an impact on functional outcome. However, high-quality studies using prospective cohorts are required to further evaluate the psychological aspects associated with this traumatic injury.


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