Problems with treatment of COVID-19 (+) patientwith psychiatric disorder – a case report

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has put an unusual strain on medical staff across the globe. Psychiatric disorders and their effect on patients' behavior turn the management of coronavirus disease into an even more of a challenging task. In this paper we present a case report of a COVID-19-positive patient suffering from organic mental disorders and alcohol dependence syndrome, thus shedding some light on a perspective of mental health professionals working in a psychiatric hospital setting, transformed into an infectious diseases unit designated solely to cover treatment of SARS-COV-2 infected patients with mental disorders, on problems and issues arising during provision of immediate healthcare in psychiatry departments in today's pandemic-stricken world. We believe that our experience from such an endeavor could prove invaluable for other mental health specialists and therefore sharing it seems especially timely and valid.

First reports of the psychological consequences of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. What appeared in the scientific literature between January and June 2020?

“…The situation is worsened by the limitations of the patient's direct contact with a doctor or psychotherapist. A special group is made up of people with diagnosed markers of the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and who needed treatment for both mental and infectious disease [31]. It has been observed that the treatment of a psychiatric patient carrying the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the source of several problems, both therapeutic and organizational.…”