Mental health in the context of COVID-19 pandemic: initial assessment

COVID-19 pandemic posed a significant risk to mental health. Specific stress factors having a negative impact on the mental health emerged, population groups more vulnerable to psychological stress and pathological psychological responses were formed, the number of heterogeneous mental disorders (depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, etc.) rapidly increased almost in one third of the population and in 2/5-1/2 of medical specialists at the sources of outbreak. Selection of effective psychopharmacological drugs for management and treatment of mental disorders, taking into account the need for their combination with antiviral drugs in the weakened patients with COVID-19, is the main practical problem.

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Adjustment Disorder in Lithuanian Healthcare in 2018–2020: A Nation-Wide Cohort Study of the Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9111422 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1422

Author(s):

Evaldas Kazlauskas ◽

Odeta Gelezelyte ◽

Auguste Nomeikaite ◽

Paulina Zelviene

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Large Scale ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Adjustment Disorder ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

National Healthcare

Multiple empirical studies have revealed significant pandemic effects of COVID-19 on mental health in various populations. This study aimed to analyze the incidences of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and adjustment disorder (AjD) in national healthcare in 2018–2020 in one of the European countries—Lithuania—and estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on PTSD and AjD incidences in 2020. The national healthcare registry was used for estimations of diagnosis of PTSD, AjD, and major depressive disorder (MD). The study revealed that stress-related disorders PTSD and AjD are diagnosed rarely, resulting in a considerable gap between the expected prevalence and incidences of these diagnoses in healthcare in Lithuania. Moreover, a significant decline in mental disorders incidence in healthcare in 2020, in comparison to 2018 and 2019, was found, revealing that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on access to healthcare services and increased barriers for mental disorders treatment. The study indicates that major developments in building up knowledge about the effects of trauma and life stressors on mental health are needed in Lithuania and other countries to increase awareness about stress-related disorders and improve care for trauma survivors, in particular in the context of the pandemics or other large-scale disasters.

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Mental health disorders and alcohol misuse among UK military veterans and the general population: a comparison study

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291720001944 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Rebecca Rhead ◽

Deirdre MacManus ◽

Margaret Jones ◽

Neil Greenberg ◽

Nicola T Fear ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

General Population ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Alcohol Misuse ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Military Health ◽

Male Veterans ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background For a small minority of personnel, military service can have a negative impact on their mental health. Yet no studies have assessed how the mental health of UK veterans (who served during the recent operations in Afghanistan or Iraq) compares to non-veterans, to determine if they are at a disadvantage. We examine the prevalence of mental disorders and alcohol misuse in UK veterans compared to non-veterans. Methods Veteran data were taken from the third phase of the King's Centre for Military Health Research cohort study (n = 2917). These data were compared with data on non-veterans taken from two large general population surveys: 2014 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n = 5871) and wave 6 of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS, n = 22 760). Results We found that, overall, UK veterans who served at the time of recent military operations were more likely to report a significantly higher prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) (23% v. 16%), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (8% v. 5%) and alcohol misuse (11% v. 6%) than non-veterans. Stratifying by gender showed that the negative impact of being a veteran on mental health and alcohol misuse was restricted to male veterans. Being ill or disabled was associated with a higher prevalence of CMD and PTSD for both veterans and non-veterans. Conclusion Whilst the same sociodemographic groups within the veteran and non-veteran populations seemed to have an increased risk of mental health problems (e.g. those who were unemployed), male veterans, in particular, appear to be at a distinct disadvantage compared to those who have never served.

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THE MENTAL HEALTH AND AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR OF WOMEN SERVING A SENTENCE IN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Medical Journal of the Russian Federation ◽

10.18821/0869-2106-2017-23-3-137-141 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 137-141

Author(s):

K. N Shaklein ◽

L. M Bardenshteyn

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Aggressive Behavior ◽

Personality Disorders ◽

Clinical Examination ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Correctional Facility ◽

Clinical Level

The evaluation of status of mental health in women with hetero-aggressive, auto-aggressive behavior and without aggression was implemented on the basis of clinical examination of 1054 women serving a sentence in correctional facility. The results of study demonstrated that in women with aggressive behavior mental disorders of pre-clinical and clinical level occur reliably more often. In women with hetero-aggressive behavior organic and personality disorders prevail and in women with auto-aggressive behavior - neurosis-like and depressive disorders. The availability of mental manifestations effect aggressive behavior of women and its forms.

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Clinical Staging for Youth Mental Disorders: Progress in Reforming Diagnosis and Clinical Care

Annual Review of Developmental Psychology ◽

10.1146/annurev-devpsych-050620-030405 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Patrick D. McGorry ◽

Cristina Mei

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Developmental Psychology ◽

Clinical Care ◽

Clinical Staging ◽

Annual Review ◽

Publication Date ◽

Diagnostic Systems ◽

Illness Progression ◽

Selection Of

Current silo-based diagnostic systems for mental disorders lack utility and fail to fulfil a fundamental purpose of diagnosis: to guide treatment planning and predict outcomes. Diagnostic reform has gained momentum, and clinical staging has emerged as a promising framework to improve the precision of diagnosis, particularly in early illness stages, and fill current gaps in linking diagnosis to more personalized and effective intervention, prognosis, and neurobiological markers. Transdiagnostic clinical staging recognizes that the early development of mental ill-health is marked by substantial fluidity and that symptoms may, although not inevitably, evolve into more stable diagnosable syndromes. Staging facilitates the selection of interventions that are proportionate to the current need and risk of illness progression and provides an efficient framework to organize biomarker data and guide service delivery. Here, we provide an overview of transdiagnostic clinical staging and summarize key evidence supporting its ability to integrate biomarkers and guide mental health care. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Developmental Psychology, Volume 3 is December 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

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Mental disorders and cognitive impairment in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome

Terapevticheskii arkhiv ◽

10.26442/00403660.2020.05.000625 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 92 (5) ◽

pp. 92-103

Author(s):

A. B. Borisova ◽

T. A. Lisitsyna ◽

D. Yu. Veltishchev ◽

T. M. Reshetnyak ◽

O. F. Seravina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Impairment ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Model Of Care ◽

Partnership Model ◽

The Relationship

Mental disorders (mainly anxiety and depressive disorders) and cognitive impairment are often found in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), but their prevalence, structure, and mechanisms of occurrence are not well researched. The review provides literature data on the frequency, spectrum and possible causes of mental disorders and cognitive impairment in patients with APS, the pathogenetic mechanisms of these disorders (in particular, the important role of antiphospholipid antibodies, stress factors, chronic inflammation), the relationship between APS, mental disorders and as well as cognitive impairment is examined. Special attention is paid to the influence of mental disorders and cognitive impairment on patients adherence to treatment, their quality of life, as well as the particularities of psychopharmacotherapy of mental disorders in patients with APS. The aim of the review is to actualize the interdisciplinary problem of mental disorders and cognitive impairment in patients with APS and the need to introduce a partnership model of care.

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Impact of Online Games on Children's Mental Health

Journal La Medihealtico ◽

10.37899/journallamedihealtico.v2i1.281 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 13-19

Author(s):

Kevin Guerada

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Online Games ◽

Children’S Mental Health ◽

Children's Mental Health ◽

World Health ◽

Game Addiction ◽

As Stress ◽

The Impact

This article examines the impact of online games on children's mental health. A person can be diagnosed with a game addiction by a psychologist or a psychiatrist if he has a game playing pattern that is severe enough to have a negative impact on himself, his family, social, education, work, and other important things. Psychologists or psychiatrists usually can only provide a diagnosis after a person's game addiction pattern lasts for at least 12 months, although this time requirement can be shortened if the adverse effects of playing games on his daily life are very obvious. The impact of online gaming addiction on children is manifested through a lack of focus on other daily activities, lack of attention in class, and constant thinking about games. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has designated online game addiction as a type of mental disorder. Game addiction can also occur with other mental disorders, such as stress, depression and anxiety disorders. Various efforts can be made to prevent mental disorders, namely doing physical activity and staying physically active, helping others sincerely to maintain positive thoughts.

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The Level and Problems of “Mental Health” in Elderly People in Shkodra, Albania

European Journal of Social Sciences Education and Research ◽

10.26417/ejser.v11i2.p394-398 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 394

Author(s):

Kilda Çela Gusha

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Community Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Health Center ◽

Affective Disorder ◽

Elderly People ◽

Community Mental Health Center ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Mental Health Center ◽

Time History

Assessment the lifetime prevalence and risk factors of mental disorders in elderly people of Shkodra city. The study was conducted in Shkodra, Albania. Individuals aged 65+ years old that were presented to community mental health center with problems mental disorders were eligible to be part of this study. For all participants (108) were used a standardized question for problems of mental health and epidemiological data for the period 2014-2016. An average 8.11% of the total sample that have been presented for the necessary treatment and consultation in the community mental health center in Shkodra for the previous three years were elderly people. This study has reported heterogeneous result on the prevalence of mental disorders in the elderly of Shkodra city. This prevalence varied with age, gender, residence, marital status and condition of living with differences across diseases. The most predominant mental disorder was depressive disorders 32 (29.6%) patients. More than 22 (20.4%) reported a lifetime history of Schizophrenia; 27 (25%) patients reported dementia and Alzheimer; 21.3% affective disorder and anxiety disorder and 3.7 mental retardation. Major depression and affective disorder were the most common single mental disorders. Some of them have reported two or more mental disorders in their life time history. As a conclusion, the prevalence of mental disorders was high in elderly people. The results told that mental disorders are important determinants in quality of life. So we suggest the necessity for the further development and improvement of harmonized instruments for the assessment of mental disorders to older adults.

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Profile of stress factors associated with mental disorders in children and adolescents referred for evaluation and treatment to the Free State Psychiatric Complex, 2007

South African Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v18i2.328 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 7

Author(s):

H Heckler ◽

C E Taute ◽

G H J Krüger ◽

D De Wet ◽

F J W Calitz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Disorders ◽

Children And Adolescents ◽

Developmental Disorders ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Conduct Disorders ◽

Stress Factors ◽

Free State ◽

Disruptive Behaviour ◽

State Psychiatric ◽

Disruptive Behaviour Disorders

Introduction. South African children and adolescents face serious challenges. Over the past decades children have been exposed to rapid and stressful changes in their environment, including increased crime and violence. Aim of study. The aim of the study was to determine the profile of stress factors leading to mental disorders in children and adolescents referred to the Child and Adolescent Unit at the Free State Psychiatric Complex, Bloemfontein, from January 2006 to December 2007. Methods. A total of 669 children (0 - 12 years) and adolescents (13 - 18 years) referred to the unit for evaluation and treatment were included in the study. Results. Thirty per cent were diagnosed with attention deficit and disruptive behaviour disorders, followed by major depressive disorders (22.7%), anxiety disorders (18.5%), conduct disorders (16.1%), mild mental retardation (15.7%), adjustment disorders (9.6%), elimination disorders (8.8%), developmental disorders (7.6%) and bereavement (7.0%). Social stressors were identified in 64.1% of participants, and psychological stressors in 19%.Conclusions. Stress plays an important role in the lives of children and adolescents, which could lead to emotional problems if not well managed. The functioning of children and adolescents should be monitored continuously. Schools are in a favourable position to identify stressors affecting children and adolescents. Educators therefore need training and opportunities to consult on mental health matters. Furthermore, religious organisations should be enlisted to identify stressors manifesting as spiritual dysfunction. School health services can play a role in the recognition of biological stressors such as epilepsy, pregnancy, enuresis, illness, speech problems and sensory dysfunction.

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Prevalence and socioeconomic impact of depressive disorders in India: multisite population-based cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-027250 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e027250 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Banavaram Anniappan Arvind ◽

Gopalkrishna Gururaj ◽

Santosh Loganathan ◽

Senthil Amudhan ◽

Mathew Varghese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Population Based ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Socioeconomic Impact ◽

Treatment Gap ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

National Mental Health

ObjectivesThe National Mental Health Survey (NMHS) of India was undertaken with the objectives of (1) estimating the prevalence and patterns of various mental disorders in representative Indian population and (2) identifying the treatment gap, healthcare utilisation, disabilities and impact of mental disorders. This paper highlights findings pertaining to depressive disorders (DD) from the NMHS.DesignMultisite population-based cross-sectional study. Subjects were selected by multistage stratified random cluster sampling technique with random selection based on probability proportionate to size at each stage.SettingConducted across 12 states in India (representing varied cultural and geographical diversity), employing uniform, standardised and robust methodology.ParticipantsA total of 34 802 adults (>18 years) were interviewed.Main outcome measurePrevalence of depressive disorders (ICD-10 DCR) diagnosed using Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview V.6.0.ResultsThe weighted prevalence of lifetime and current DD was 5.25% (95% CI: 5.21% to 5.29%, n=34 802) and 2.68% (95% CI: 2.65% to 2.71%, n=34 802), respectively. Prevalence was highest in the 40–59 age groups (3.6%, n=10 302), among females (3.0%, n=18 217) and those residing in cities with population >1 million (5.2%, n=4244). Age, gender, place of residence, education and household income were found to be significantly associated with current DD. Nearly two-thirds of individuals with DD reported disability of varying severity, and the treatment gap for depression in the study population was 79.1%. On an average, households spent INR1500/month (~US$ 23.0/month) towards care of persons affected with DD.ConclusionAround 23 million adults would need care for DD in India at any given time. Since productive population is affected most, DD entails considerable socioeconomic impact at individual and family levels. This is a clarion call for all the concerned stakeholders to scale up services under National Mental Health Programme in India along with integrating care for DD with other ongoing national health programmes.

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Depressive Disorders in Portugal: EAAD and the Depanx Project Regional Baseline Data and the WMH Survey National Data

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(09)70400-6 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (S1) ◽

pp. 1-1

Author(s):

R. Gusmão ◽

J.M. Caldas de Almeida

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Mental Disorders ◽

Depressive Disorders ◽

Common Mental Disorders ◽

National Level ◽

Outcome Data ◽

Stepped Care ◽

Therapeutic Interventions ◽

Clinical Criteria

Firstly, recent data on depressive disorders and suicidality burden in Portugal is presented and treatment gap is stressed as well as the insufficient information until recent years (1).At the national level, the first epidemiological study on psychiatric disorders embedded within the World Mental Initiative Survey is ongoing and prevalence and needs for care data will be presented.Implementation process of the EAAD 4-level intervention in Portugal is ongoing along with restructuring of both liaison and specialized mental health care on a regional sector of 350.000 inhabitants with a mental health specialised care department and four large primary care health centres, where liaison between 4 mental health teams and 200 GP was taking place accordingly with varying models (substitute care in most) and different clinical criteria for admission and follow-up.The restructuring of mental health teams and their missions implied that while a set of sub-teams stood responsible for severe mental disorders, another subgroup was deemed to comply exclusively with common mental disorders and primary care liaison aided by standardisation of clinical criteria for referrals evaluation and reply, specialised therapeutic interventions, as well as collaborative stepped care.Baseline and some outcome data on suicide and depression will be presented such as rates, psychopharmacological prescriptions, general population knowledge and beliefs, media reporting, and pre and post training evaluation of primary care professionals.

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