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Psychology & Psychological Research International Journal Research Article 3 min read

Exposure to COVID-19 is Not the Only Threat to Mental Health

Jesús RIC*
* Corresponding author
ISSN: 2576-0319  10.23880/pprij-16000253  Received: November 02, 2020  Published: December 09, 2020
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 21 references
 1 table
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Keywords
COVID-19 Mental health threats
Abstract

Due to the innovation and jeopardy of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, it has been observed that the population is not treating their pre-existing health conditions as usual. It has also been observed that people, for the fear of being infected with COVID-19 and due to confinement, do not continue with their treatments of health conditions diagnosed prior to the pandemic, and it will be possible an increase, in the not too distant future, of other health conditions. Also, the health of the population, both physical and mental, can be compromised. The objective of this article is to present some of the conditions that have been observed during other epidemic episodes and some risk factors that population are currently exposed to due to COVID-19. As health professionals we have to create awareness about the importance of provide immediate attention to these mental health conditions because it could become a detrimental public health problem also, this issue can possibly be greater than the one we have today with the pandemic.

Tables

AuthorMental Health Threats Examples
Qiu et al., [15]Young people are experiencing high levels of emotional distress nevertheless them are associated to be at lower risk for COVID-19 complications.The COVID-19 epidemic is associated to triggered a wide variety of psychological problems, such as panic disorder, anxiety and depression on Chinese population.Women reporting higher levels of distress in mental health due to the pandemic than men.
Garfin Silver, & Holman [16]Emotional distress can be caused by a higher media exposure of pandemic images.
Francis, Moitra, Dyck, & Keller [17]Changes in daily routine and interruptions in people mental health care, can be factors that can cause a deterioration in mental health.Studies suggest a connection between stressful life events and the development and course of depressive symptoms.According to Francis, Moitra, Dyck, & Keller (2012), some etiological theories propose that stressful life events are significative to the development and preservation of generalized anxiety disorder, as same of the worry about these events.
Cornelius, van der Klink, de Boer, Brouwer, & Groothoff [18]Because of confinement, people with physical health conditions have reduced access to health care, which possible exacerbate their physical condition, consequently increasing their risk for mental health difficulties.
Lee Kang, Cho Kim, Park, [19]During the acute infection stage during a pandemic could result in serious psychological distress.While suffering a chronic disease, studies have confirmed a notably increase rates of depression in patients, because of that we can expect COVID-19 positive patients will be at risk of depression as well.
Alonzi S, La Torre A, & Silverstein MW [20]Subsequent the COVID-19 pandemic declaration was established that women and nonbinary individuals, both with preexisting physical and mental health conditions, presented higher levels of depression and anxiety.

Table 1: Examples of mental health threats associated with COVID-19 pandemic.

References

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@article{jess2020,
  title   = {Exposure to COVID-19 is Not the Only Threat to Mental Health},
  author  = {Jesús RIC},
  journal = {Psychology & Psychological Research International Journal},
  year    = {2020},
  volume  = {5},
  number  = {4},
  doi     = {10.23880/pprij-16000253}
}
Jesús RIC (2020). Exposure to COVID-19 is Not the Only Threat to Mental Health. Psychology & Psychological Research International Journal, 5(4). https://doi.org/10.23880/pprij-16000253
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Exposure to COVID-19 is Not the Only Threat to Mental Health
AU  - Jesús RIC
JO  - Psychology & Psychological Research International Journal
PY  - 2020
VL  - 5
IS  - 4
DO  - 10.23880/pprij-16000253
ER  -