Effects of COVID-19 on Anxiety, Depression and Other Mental Health Issues: A worldwide scope review.

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the world and, along with it, a considerable degree of fear and uncertainties that impact on various aspects of societal life, including on people’s Mental Health (MH). Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic affects MH can help to implement interventions and adequate public policies, providing more effective responses to mitigate its effects.OBJECTIVES: To summarize the scientific evidence on the possible influence of the Covid-19 pandemic on MH, critically evaluating the methods and scientific validity of the studies found, in addition to summarizing the recommendations on strategic measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on MH.METHODOLOGY: The current scoping review was conducted from a screening of 465 articles on COVID-19 and MH outcomes, based on the main database of scientific references on health, assessed throughout PubMed. RESULT: Of the 43 papers selected for summary and critical analysis 77% (n=33) indicated a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and anxiety symptoms, 56% (n=26) with depression or depressive symptoms, seven with changes in sleep pattern and seven with obsessive behaviours or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. In addition to studies that showed an influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological distress, stress and fear. Most of the studies were carried out in China, and primarily evaluated the presence of anxiety and depression, through scales and questionnaires. Health professionals and the elderly were cited among the most affected population groups. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies presented significant methodological limits. Investments in new research, with controlled studies, including representative and randomized samples, and longitudinal follow-up, are necessary, to further explore the relationships between the COVID-19 pandemic and people's MH and long-term effects. Pending such studies, given the effects (during and after) of previous epidemics on MH, government measures need to be implemented to reduce the potential catastrophic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on MH, and the burden that will remain after the pandemic. The timely identification of psychological distress and the identification of MH needs among populations, facilitate the development of targeted psychological interventions, in addition to the organization of health services and systems, during the pandemic.