Hand Washing: When Ritual Behavior Protects! Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms in Young People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on the lifestyles and mental health of young people. It has been hypothesized that the focus on hygiene and the fear of contamination/infection during the pandemic may have exacerbated obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms in this population. OC symptoms are widespread in the general population, with varying degrees of intensity. At their most extreme, they manifest in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The present narrative review aimed at evaluating the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and OCD and OC symptoms in young people, especially children and adolescents with and without OCD, focusing on vulnerability and risk factors and the impact of lockdown measures. Of the six studies identified, four examined clinical samples diagnosed with OCD and two looked at community-based adolescent samples. Five of the six studies found that OC symptoms increased during the pandemic. Additionally, vulnerability to anxiety may constitute a risk condition and the lockdown measures and personal stressful life events can constitute potential triggers of OC symptoms, while ongoing treatment for OCD had a protective effect. The results suggest that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, obsessive and compulsive behavior (e.g., hand washing) in young people at the greatest risk should be monitored, and the intervention of mental health services should be maintained. More research is needed in this area.

The anxiety response of patients with severe psychiatric disorders to the recent public health crisis

“…The washing-contamination subgroup is expected to experience a greater fear of infection by a virus [ 23 ]. Although a study showed that there was no difference between different OCD subgroups in terms of anxiety and depression symptoms, and no significant difference was observed between healthy controls and OCD patients [ 51 ], a narrative review of studies indicated that obsessive-compulsive symptoms, especially hand washing, increased during the pandemic [ 60 ]. Further studies in the future can provide valuable information about the anxiety response pattern of OCD patients and its subtypes in the face of a global health crisis.…”

COVID‐19 pandemic and the determinants of depressive symptoms among senior citizens of India: An empirical investigation

“…The COVID-19 fear parameters include the individual behavioral issues that are followed by individuals to restrict the spread of the virus. Fear factors include frequent pandemic-related news updates, frequent hand washing, limiting access to family members, postponing regular medical check-ups, and so on (Demaria et al, 2022). It is evident from earlier literature that during times of crisis, people who are very fearful and cautious may develop depressive symptoms when extreme restrictions are imposed (Barbisch et al, 2015).…”

Prevalence of allergic or contact dermatitis related to hand hygiene in a hospital institution

“…(10) Recientemente se ha implicado al estrés como un factor contribuyente en la etiopatogenia de la dermatitis de manos, situación similar que ocurre con el exceso de lavado de manos. (11) Se evidenció en nuestro caso que la mayoría de los profesionales de salud que hacen uso de guantes de látex con talco y una cifra relativa correspondía a aquellos que usan este mismo tipo de guantes sin talco.…”