Risk of Developing Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Severe COVID-19 Survivors, Their Families and Frontline Healthcare Workers: What Should Mental Health Specialists Prepare For?

Abstract

Given the high mortality of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), having severe COVID-19 may be a life-threatening event, especially for individuals at high risk of complications. Therefore, in the article we try to answer two questions that are relevant to public mental health: Can we define groups who are at higher risk of developing pandemic-related PTSD? How can health specialists prepare for it? Given the results of previous research on PTSD in epidemic (e.g., SARS) survivors, we suggest that mental health professionals in countries touched by the pandemic should prepare for an increase in the PTSD prevalence, specifically in: individuals who have had severe COVID-19; family members of these patients and of patients who have died; and frontline healthcare workers witnessing COVID-19 patients' sudden deaths, or numerous life-threatening situations. We postulate that these groups at risk should be routinely screened for PTSD in primary medical and pediatric care. Mental health services should prepare for providing therapeutic interventions for individuals with PTSD in the vulnerable groups, and support to their families, especially children.

Incidence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Psychological Health Problems among Residents of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship during the COVID-19 Outbreak

“…However, in some people they may be a symptom of serious mental problems, requiring professional psychological care. Particularly prone to this stress are people who feel a real threat to their health or who have lost their jobs [3,4].…”

Is the Pandemic a Risk Factor for Eating Disorders?

“…In addition to comorbidities related to physical health, people with ED also experience the effects of the mental strain caused by COVID-19. Gradually there are studies that describe not only the impact of the pandemic and the threat of infection on the mental health [3,4], but also reports on the mental consequences of suffering from COVID-19 itself [25,26]. As it was shown, medical workers infected with COVID-19 significantly more often experienced deppresion, anxiety, intrusion, hypervigilance and avoidance than healthy medical workers [25].…”

“…As it was shown, medical workers infected with COVID-19 significantly more often experienced deppresion, anxiety, intrusion, hypervigilance and avoidance than healthy medical workers [25]. Persons with other mental problems [26] (e.g., ED) are at higher risk of developing PTSD as a consequence of being sick on COVID-19. Meta-analysis of studies according psychiatric symtoms of severe Coronaviral infection described delirium and altered consciousness [27].…”

Mirror-mirror on the Wall, What Psychological Effects of COVID-19 and Strategies Practiced can Prevent Deterioration of Mental Health by Malaysian of All?

“…It was due to lack of 'warmth", social and personal interactions, and engagement in virtual communication (Lee et al, 2011). Past research on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic found that the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was high and this is to be expected to be the same post-COVID-19 (Sekowski et al, 2021). This is confirmed by psychiatrists from Oxford University that almost one in five coronavirus patients developed some mental illness within three months of being diagnosed with Covid-19 (Schladebeck, 2020).…”

“…This is confirmed by psychiatrists from Oxford University that almost one in five coronavirus patients developed some mental illness within three months of being diagnosed with Covid-19 (Schladebeck, 2020). Hence, proactive action should be taken by every individual, healthcare personnel should be warned of the risks of PTSD of COVID-19 survivors and be ready for the necessary therapeutic interventions (Sekowski et al, 2021).…”