Citation

Han RH, Schmidt MN, Waits WM, Bell AKC, Miller TL. Curr. Psychiatry Rep. 2020; 22(12): e66.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s11920-020-01189-6

PMID

33030637

PMCID

PMC7542088

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The ability to effectively prepare for and respond to the psychological fallout from large-scale disasters is a core competency of military mental health providers, as well as civilian emergency response teams. Disaster planning should be situation specific and data driven; vague, broad-spectrum planning can contribute to unprepared mental health teams and underserved patient populations. Herein, we review data on mental health sequelae from the twenty-first century pandemics, including SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19), and offer explanations for observed trends, insights regarding anticipated needs, and recommendations for preliminary planning on how to best allocate limited mental health resources.
RECENT FINDINGS: Anxiety and distress, often attributed to isolation, were the most prominent mental health complaints during previous pandemics and with COVID-19. Additionally, post-traumatic stress was surprisingly common and possibly more enduring than depression, insomnia, and alcohol misuse. Predictions regarding COVID-19's economic impact suggest that depression and suicide rates may increase over time. Available data suggest that the mental health sequelae of COVID-19 will mirror those of previous pandemics. Clinicians and mental health leaders should focus planning efforts on the negative effects of isolation, particularly anxiety and distress, as well as post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Language: en

Keywords

Anxiety; Betacoronavirus; Coronavirus Infections; COVID-19; Data-informed planning; Disaster psychiatry; Health Services Needs and Demand; Humans; Mental health; Mental Health; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Psychological Distress; SARS-CoV-2; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic