Evaluation of the COVID-19 pandemic effect on the development of somatic symptoms in patients with mood disorders: a case-control study

Abstract

Somatic symptoms are one of the most common complaints among patients with psychiatric disorders and are considered as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in the new coronavirus pandemic. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical symptoms in patients with mood disorders and compare it with healthy individuals. In this case-control study, 67 patients with mood disorders were referred to the psychiatric clinic of 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan, who met the inclusion criteria, and 68 healthy individuals as control group were entered into the study. For all participants after informed consent, a demographic information questionnaire was completed along with Screening for Somatic Symptoms-7 (SOMS7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and the data were analysed by SPSS software version 25. The mean score obtained for the SOMS-7 questionnaire for the group of patients with mood disorders and the control group was 32.37 ± 8.19 and 35.42 ± 11.3, respectively. The mean obtained for the PHQ-15 questionnaire for the mood disorders group and the control group was 8.56 ± 5.93 and 5.86 ± 4.63, respectively. In the mood disorder group, 26.9% of patients had no risk for physical symptoms, 31.3% of patients had a low risk, 25.4% of patients had a moderate risk, and 16.4% of patients had a high risk for physical symptoms. The statistical test showed that although the risk of physical symptoms was high in both groups, this rate was higher in the group with mood disorders, and there is a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The results also showed a significant and direct relationship between the two questionnaires (P < 0.05). According to the results, although the prevalence of somatic symptoms increased in both groups, the prevalence of somatic symptoms is significantly higher in the mood disorder group.

Grief Experience After Deaths: Comparison of Covid-19 and non-Covid-19 Causes

“…In their study Sanders & Adams, found that notable rate of the caregivers of the Alzheimers disease experienced high levels of grief and depressive symtoms (27,28). However, COVID-19 patients are facing with stitma and discrimination around the globe which can lead to grief process limitations (29).…”

“…Grief reactions may different in different types of death. The studies revealed specific grief charactristics based on the type of death.The results of study conducted by Houck showed the grief reactions among people who mourned from cancer,AIDS related, and suicide were different.However, it was greater in suicide due to its high stigmatization (26) In their study Sanders & Adams, found that notable rate of the caregivers of the Alzheimers disease experienced high levels of grief and depressive symtoms (27,28). However, COVID-19 patients are facing with stitma and discrimination around the globe which can lead to grief process limitations (29).…”

Cyberchondria, but not preventive behavior, mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and somatic burden: Evidence from Russia

“…Second, the findings were obtained in a population sample and cannot be generalized to clinical groups. There is evidence that fear of COVID-19, cyberchondria, and somatization differ between healthy persons and patients with mental and physical diseases ( 64 – 66 ). The patterns found should be examined in clinical groups including patients with somatoform disorders.…”

Loneliness and happiness in the face of the COVID-19 lockdown: Examining the pathways through somatic symptoms and psychological distress

“…The theory opines that unpleasant objective life conditions such as job loss, health stressors, pandemic lockdown, war, family discord and general stressful life circumstances can negatively affect subjective wellbeing (for example, happiness). Given that unpleasant life conditions are associated with psychological distress ( Hassanzadeh et al, 2017 ) and somatic symptoms ( Shahini et al, 2021 ), happiness is expected to be theoretically related to somatic symptoms and psychological distress. Hence, the more individuals are distressed and somaticised from negative life circumstances, the less they would feel happy.…”