Discovered in December 2019, COVID has affected the entire planet, through direct exposure to its virus; SARS-COV-2, or indirectly through the media, Indeed, on January 20, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be “a public health emergency of international concern.” Along with other public health crises and other collective trauma (terrorism, H1N1 epidemic or SARS-COV), exposure to publicized information on this virus generates psychiatric disorders, in particular anxiety and absence of well-being. Objective: To link exposure to information about this pandemic through social media and anxiety and lack of well-being.

Explore the relationship between anxiety, well-being and exposure to social medias

Use of a questionnaire consisting of three sections, individual status and conditions, the French versions of the GAD-7 scale for anxiety (Generalized anxiety scale of 7items) and the WHO-5 (five well-being index). This questionnaire is dedicated to the general population who have not been in direct contact with the virus, but through the media.

We were able to collect 209 participants, they were essentially females with a mean age of 28yo, 17,7% had psychiatric history of anxiety and depression, the median use of social medias was 5.7 hours per day. And they were essentially getting their information about the pandemic from Instagram, Facebook, the Moroccan ministry of health’s website and electronic newspapers. 31,1% of our participants had anxiety which was above a Chinese study, and had a poor well-being.

The use of social media to get information about the pandemic had an impact on well-being and anxiety.

No significant relationships.

Equipping our medical students with as many tools as possible to cope with the challenges that they will inevitably face has never been more important than it is today.

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a reflective practice (RP) group for medical students, particularly with adaptation to COVID-19 and transition to video.

A pilot programme of RP for 3rd year medical students commencing their clinical placement was run by the Sligo Medical Academy, NUIG in Ireland between January – April 2020. This group for nine students was initially run face-to-face but pivoted to an online group in March 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through one-to-one interviews with all student participants and the facilitator (n=10). Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Our analysis identified four main discussion themes: transition to clinical environment, gender in the workplace, building professional identity and family and support systems. The students who continued the RP group over zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic particularly identified with the theme of support systems and solidarity. The smooth transition to zoom and its effectiveness in a time of social distancing were discussed. Identified challenges related primarily to timing of the RP group, particularly after a full day of placements or time differences for international students overseas.

Reflective practice programmes are not routinely offered to medical students in Ireland currently and this study gives recommendations on implementing and improving experiences of undergraduate training based on RP.

No significant relationships.

The covid-19 virus pandemic is another risk factor not only for the lives of older people, but also for their mental health, as the threat is immediate and intense.

The aim of the study was to investigate depression during the pandemic in a population of elderly people over 65 years of age living in the Greek countryside.

The research was synchronous and was conducted in the autumn of 2020 in Crete. The sample of the study was random and consisted of 200 elderly users of services of the Health Center of the Municipality of Phaistos, Crete. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) was used to conduct the study in combination with 24 questions related to pandemic perceptions.

40.5% of the sample were men and 59.5% were women. The mean age was 75.70 years (SD ± 6.29). The mean value of GDS-15 was found to be 5.97 (SD, 3.07), while the comparison of depressive symptoms showed that women, lonely people and the elderly with chronic health problems are more vulnerable to the development of depressive symptoms. In relation to covid-19 and depressive symptoms, there was a positive correlation with twelve factors (p <, 05) with the most important being the fear for their family health, sleep disorder, loneliness and inability to deal with the virus.

The research showed moderate depressive symptoms, while a clear effect of the pandemic due to Covid-19 was found on the emotional mood of the elderly, a fact that makes their psychosocial support necessary.

No significant relationships.

Clozapine is an effective antipsychotic used in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. One of the serious complications of clozapine therapy is agranulocytosis, therefore regular monitoring of the level of white blood cells (WBC) in plasma is necessary. During acute inflammatory infections, including the COVID-19 infection, levels of clozapine may increase, by the CYP 450 system, leading to adverse effects such as sedation, hypersalivation and consequently to aspiration pneumonia.

The aim of the study is to assess the validity of continuing clozapine treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brief literature review, based on research of scientific articles published in PubMed, using as keywords the terms “clozapine” and “COVID-19”.

Research studies indicate that SARS-COV2 infection in patients treated with clozapine does not significantly reduce the level of neutrophils, despite commonly observed leucopenia with lymphopenia. Due to pandemic, existing WBC scheme has been modified with a trend towards less frequent measurements. To minimize the side effects of clozapine during infection, it is recommended to reduce the dose of clozapine by half and continue lower dose until 3 days after fever has subsided. Additionally, there have been reports of psychosis recurrence after discontinuation of clozapine causing difficulties in treatment COVID-19 as also comorbid mental disease.

Treatment of clozapine is associated with higher risk of COVID-19 complications and at the same time COVID-19 infection may increase clozapine toxicity. Therefore, the risks of COVID-19 infection present a challenge for safe clozapine use. Further research will be needed to assess these dependencies and strategies.

No significant relationships.

When New York City became an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare workers from an array of specialties were deployed to work on general medicine units with limited time for clinical retraining.

This study assesses the subjective experience and perceived preparedness of a cohort of non-internal medicine clinicians who were deployed to assist with inpatient management of patients with COVID-19 in the Spring of 2020.

An online survey was distributed to clinicians (residents, fellows, attendings, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) who cared for patients in roles outside their usual specialties during the pandemic at the Montefiore Health System in the Bronx, NY.

85/169 (50.3%) clinicians responded. 16.5% reported strong feelings of preparedness prior to deployment (≥7/10 Likert scale). ‘Access to appropriate and efficient review materials prior to deployment’ was ranked as 6/10, overall level of stress as 8/10 and concern for contracting COVID-19 while deployed as 8/10. Responses regarding ‘general feelings of preparedness’ had a weak negative association with ‘feelings of frustration about one’s circumstance’ (r= -0.39, p<0.001). Weak negative associations were found between feelings of ‘access to adequate review materials’ and ‘overall stress levels’ (r= -0.31, p<0.001). A moderate positive association was found between ‘feelings of access to adequate review materials’ and ‘feeling on top of one’s work responsibilities’ (r= 0.40, p< 0.001).

The majority of respondents did not feel adequately prepared to care for patients with COVID-19 prior to deployment and had both high stress levels and fear of contracting COVID-19 in the first wave of the pandemic.

No significant relationships.

As in many areas of life, the covid-19 epidemic has had a great impact on psychological counselor training. Although studies and practices on online counseling are increasing every day in the world, there has not been a psychological counseling method preferred by experts in Turkey, which comes from community culture and, where physical contact is important, until the pandemic.

The examination of the opinions of the students studying in the last year of the psychological counseling and guidance undergraduate program during the pandemic regarding online counseling, where they perform their first psychological counseling experience.

The study was conducted with 10 counseling students, 9 women and 1 Man. The age range of the students is 22-24 and the average age is 20.6. The students’ opinions are taken with open-ended questions such as “Can you share your views on online counseling before online counseling?“ The reflection letter that the students responded to was subjected to content analysis.

The findings of the study show that there are four themes: Emotions before the counseling process, Thoughts before the counseling process, Therapeutic relationship, Online counseling in professional life. For example; in online counseling, negative emotions such as anxiety, excitement, fear, anxiety, stress, anxiety, as well as feeling comfortable and safe are among the positive feelings they experience in their therapeutic relationships.

As a result, although students have a positive view of online counseling, they mainly prefer to do it face-to-face. The findings were discussed taking into account Turkish culture.

No significant relationships.

Anxious-depressive disorders are common among children with epilepsy. A recent Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (Scott et al., 2020) reported that the overall pooled prevalence of anxiety disorders is 18.9% while of depressive disorders is 13.5%. COVID-19 pandemic has centralized the attention of governors and careers on the health emergency. As a result, the trajectory of the psychological care needs of this at risk population may have been neglected.

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms among children with epilepsy during COVID-19 pandemic. Children were hospitalized in- and out-patients under a neurological and psychological follow up program in an Italian Children Hospital.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 38 hospitalized children and adolescents with epilepsy (21F; 17M, mean age: 14,5; range: 11-18) during COVID-19 pandemic. We performed face-to face interviews and assessed depressive and anxiety symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7) questionnaire during scheduled follow up checks.

Preliminary results showed a rate of mild-to-severe anxious depressive symptoms by 49.9% and 60.5% respectively. In detail: 21.1% mild, 15.7% moderate and 13.1% of severe anxiety, meanwhile 23.7% mild, 26.3% moderate and 10.5% of severe depression. The prevalence of comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms was 39.5% among the entire sample.

Depressive and anxiety rates among hospitalized children with epilepsy during COVID-19 outbreak are very high. Pediatric services should deserve special attention to those patients’ mental health. Regular screening protocols and empowerment interventions in Hospital should be promoted.

No significant relationships.

The governments of various countries enforced a lockdown to contain the COVID -19 pandemic. As the colleges remain closed, the academic teachings for students was conducted online. The mobile phone remained the main source for academics and entertainment during this period.

To assess patterns of use of mobile phone by Medical Undergraduate students prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdown. To assess Nomophobia among same participants.

This study was done by an online survey method after obtaining approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A validated questionnaire on patterns of mobile phone use and the Nomophobia Questionnaire(NMP-Q) was completed by the medical students (n=187) who consented to participate in the study

Prior to the pandemic lockdown, 52.9% of the participants used the mobile phones for 2-4 hours per day with 78% of the usage in social media. During lockdown, 89.3% of the participants reported an increase in the usage of mobile phones. 35.65% reported an increase in use by 2-4 hours everyday. About 30.5 % used the mobile phone for 6-8 hours per day. 80.2 % reported a maximum usage for social media. 59.45% reported a maximum usage for online academics. 33.7% frequently checked their phones once in 15 minutes. About 60.43% of the participants were in the moderate and 21.4% in the severe category of nomophobia.

There is an increase in mobile phone usage during the lockdown with a significant proportion of students in the moderate and severe category of nomophobia.

No significant relationships.

Cases of psychosis are being reported in people infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The relationship between psychosis and corticosteroids treatment is well known. However, there are relatively limited data so far correlating psychosis and SARS-CoV-2.

To describe a case of manic psychosis in a 55-year-old woman treated with corticosteroids for COVID-19 infection. Discuss the etiopathogenic factors involved in psychosis in patients infected by COVID-19.

We present the case of a 55-year-old woman, without previous psychiatric history, who was admitted to psychiatry due to a psychotic episode with maniac symptoms. Three weeks earlier, the patient had been admitted to Internal Medicine for bilateral SArs-CoV2 pneumonia, under treatment with high doses of corticosteroids. The patient presents a verbose and salty speech, euphoric mood with hyperergia, subjective increase of capacities, insomnia and delusional ideation with mystical-spiritual content with delusional interpretations and auditory hallucinations. The patient comes from Ukraine and she has been living in Spain for 20 years. She works as a household assistant. The patient relates various psychosocial stressors throughout her life.

Complementary diagnostic tests were without alterations. Low-dose antipsychotic treatment is prescribed, with a rapid recovery within a week. Finally, the patient showed complete insight of the episode and was discharged from the hospital being asymptomatic.

It would be interesting to publish the reported cases of psychosis and infection by COVID-19 as well as to investigate the etiopathogenic factors that may be contributing to the development of psychosis in patients infected by the virus.

No significant relationships.

The current pandemic wave of COVID-19 has become a global threat. Healthcare professionals (HCP), by being on the front line in managing this pandemic, confronted high levels of stress and traumatic experiences.

The aims of our study were to evaluate the trait-anxiety among Tunisian HCP and its impact on coping strategies.

A cross- sectional descriptive and analytic study conducted among Tunisian HCP during November and December 2020. The data was collected by an online questionnaire distributed through social media. The trait-anxiety was assessed using the “General Anxiety questionnaire of Spielberger” (STAI-Y-B) and the “Ways of coping checklist revised (WCC-R) questionnaire” identified three types of coping (problem-focused, emotion-focused and social-support seeking).

Participants were 135 HCP (71 males and 64 females) and aged from 24 to 61 years old (average age 31.98 years; SD 6.59 years). Of HCP involved in the study, 61.5% were single, 36.3% were married and 2.2% were divorced. Seventy-two of them had a trait-anxious. As a coping style, 85.2% of participants used problem-focused style, 88.9% of them used emotion-focused style and 63% of them used social support seeking style. The analysis of WCC-R showed that anxious HCP used emotion-focused coping more than non anxious HCP (p= 0.028). However, there was no significant difference in problem-focused or social support seeking coping styles and presence of trait-anxiety.

In our study, we find that the most anxious Tunisian HCP focused on emotions strategies. Personality traits play on attitudes of coping strategies.

No significant relationships.

The epidemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2, which began in Wuhan city in December 2019, quickly spread to various countries around the world. The first case in New York State was confirmed on March 1; three weeks later (on March 22, 8 p.m.) the entire population was sheltered in place (SIP). By March 27, the USA had already become the first country in the world for the number of infections. 56% of known domestic cases were confined to New York State.

The study aims to evaluate the immediate psychological effects on sheltered in place persons aged between 18 and 70 years old and living in New York State (USA).

This study is based on a cross-sectional online survey conducted anonymously in the period between the tenth and twenty-third day of SIP. Zung Anxiety Self-Assessment Scale (ZAS scale), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Perceived Stress Scale 4 (PSS4) were used to evaluate anxiety, insomnia and stress respectively.

We collected data on 354 individuals (189 females, 34.9 years). MANOVA evidenced that anxiety was significantly related to marital status (higher for divorced/widow participants as compared to married/civil partnership and single), it decreased significantly with age, it was higher for females and for persons having an history of psychiatric disorders and sleeping problems.

Our results could be used as a “psychological baseline” meanwhile the outbreak of COVID-19 is still ongoing. Despite the few days of shelter in place, we found the presence of a significant incidence and pervasive prevalence of psychological distress.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic may cause elevated levels of anxiety in healthcare professionals (HCP). Identifying factors that could help maintain mental health especially social support could be helpful in facing this stressful situation.

The aim of this study was to asses the relationship between the trait-anxiety and perceived social support among Tunisian HCP in the current pandemic wave of COVID-19.

A cross- sectional descriptive and analytic study conducted among Tunisian HCP during November and December 2020. The data were collected by an online questionnaire. The trait-anxiety was assessed using the “General Anxiety questionnaire of Spielberger” (STAI-Y-B). We used the “Social Support Questionnaire” to measure availability and satisfaction regarding perceived social support.

Participants were 135 HCP, and aged from 24 to 61 years old (average age 31.98 years). The sex ratio was 1.1 (71 males and 64 females). Of HCP involved in the study, 61.5% were single, 36.3% were married and 2.2% were divorced. The average scores of availability and satisfaction regarding perceived social were 7.79 (SD=3.56) and 28.41 (SD=6.75), respectively. Seventy-two of the HCP had a trait-anxious. Analysis showed that social support satisfaction scores were significantly lower in trait-anxious HCP (p<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the score of availability according to trait-anxiety (p=0.49).

Our study highlighted the existence of a deficit on perceived social support satisfaction among trait-anxious Tunisian HCP. Perceived social support as a determinant of trait anxiety should be the focus of social work in this period.

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 pandemic situation is seen as an intense stressor. However, people process it differently.

This study aims to examine the connection between life situation perception and the desirability of life changes the pandemic caused.

Adult participants (n=144; 01.04.2020–01.06.2020) answered open-ended questions about their current life situation experience and rated the desirability of life changes on a 10-point scale (see table 1). Content analysis and Pearson’s χ2 criterion were used.

We annotated the participants’ responses. The content of life situations was categorized into restrictions, losses, difficulties (negative responses), acquisitions (positive responses), neutral, and ambivalent responses. Life goals were categorized into an approach to the desired outcome, avoidance of hassles, preservation of status quo, self-development, and return to prepandemic life. χ2 analysis confirms the differences between content-types and goal-types categories in 4 groups of participants: χ2(15)=43.62; p=0.002 (content); χ2(12)=27.23; p=0.01 (goals). The desirability of changes was positively linked with the ambivalent responses and responses containing self-development goals or approach-to-desired-outcome goals; and was negatively linked with the responses containing restriction-type situations and avoidance goals. Only the respondents accepting changes reported acquisitions; only the respondents rejecting changes reported a return to prepandemic life goals.

Perceived characteristics of life situations are closely connected with the desirability of life changes during the pandemic. Funding: The reported study was funded by RFBR, project number 20-013-00838.

No significant relationships.

Parents of hospitalized children with chronic illness (HCCI) during the COVID-19 epidemic may face huge pressure and worry, leading to mental health issues. Parent’s depression and anxiety disorders increase the risk of mental health problems in the child and affect his/her recovery.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence rate of depressive and anxiety symptoms among a pilot sample of parents of HCCI (in- and out-patients) with diagnosis of epilepsy (9), cystic fibrosis (8) and congenital heart anomalies (6) during COVID-19 pandemic. Pediatric patients were under a regular Children Hospital medical and psychological follow-up program.

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 23 Italian parents (15 F; 8 M) of HCCI during the COVID-19 epidemic period. We performed face-to face interviews and assessed depressive and anxiety symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorders (GAD-7) questionnaire during scheduled follow up visits.

The anxiety score of parents of HCCI was 4.43 ± 3.17, of which 39.1% of parents were anxious (≥5 points), while the depression score was 4.04 ± 2.67, of which 30.4% of parents show depressive symptoms (≥5 points). The prevalence of comorbid depressive and anxiety symptoms was 26.1% among the entire sample.

Preliminary data of our pilot study showed a high prevalence of anxious depressive symptoms and comorbidity among parents of HCCI. Timely provision of psychologic interventions are needed during and after COVID-19 pandemic in order to empower parenting and promote children recovery and quality of life.

No significant relationships.

In late 2019, an epidemic outbreak emerges in China caused by a new coronavirus with high transmission and human infection potential which in March 2020, was characterized by WHO as a pandemic. The lockdown has repercussions on the population’s well-being, reflected in their food choices. There is a tendency to increase the consumption of energy dense food, rich in fat and carbohydrates, which are related to an increased risk of depression.

The main goal of this non-systematic literature review was to understand the impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Mental Health promotion in SARSCoV-2 pandemic.

Literature from Pubmed database were searched, with the following keywords: COVID-19, Depression, Anxiety, Mental Health and Mediterranean Diet.

Studies indicate that a diet based on the Mediterranean Diet is associated with a decreased risk of developing depressive symptoms, especially when there is moderate to high adherence to this dietary pattern. High consumption of plant and fish foods, reduced consumption of sugary products, processed and red meats and the use of olive oil as a fat source, are principles of the Mediterranean diet, associated with an improvement in endothelial function, increased levels of eicosanoids and serotonin synthesis and regulation of serotonin which seem to explain this protective effect.

In addition to decreasing the risk of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, comorbidities associated with the most serious disease of COVID-19, the Mediterranean Diet seems to play an important role in promoting mental health, with a decreased risk of developing depressive symptoms.

No significant relationships.

The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of SARS – CoV 2 on Menthal Health. Based on the studies pacients infected with COVID-19 manifest severe menthal health problems during or after infection.

How do different people face the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection? How do menthal health problems influence the disease’s trajectory? What kind of the menthal health disorder occur in people status post Covid?

We have used a regular, clinical strategy involving adults aged 21-61 years infected with SARS-CoV-2. The research was conducted over the period July-December 2020, in 5 patients (3 males and 2 females) hospitalized in the Psychiatric Hospital “Ali Mihali” Vlora. The assessment on the diagnosis was made conforming to the diagnostic criteria of DSM-5 based on structured clinical interview (information from family, friends, etc.) and examination of mental status

According to the studies SARS CoV2 affects with serious problems the Menthal Health. Some of them are: Sleep disorder. Anxiety disorder. Major Depressive Disorder. Bipolar disorder Psychotic disorder

Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 must be provided with a family physician psychological evaluation during the acute and post-COVID-19 phase. All individs status post COVID-19 who have lost their daily functioning and pose a risk to themselves and others must be recommended to CMHC for multidisciplinary treatment All COVID hospitals and wards must be equipped with multidisciplinary teams (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, mental health nurse) and each clinical record must have current mental status assessment and follow-up in case dynamics.

No significant relationships.

COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown have provoked a considerable psychological impact in Spain. Some studies have reported greater psychological impact in the younger population. To date, no previous study has focused on depressive disorder (DD) patients based on their age.

To describe the psychological impact on DD according to age.

Cross-sectional study of an online survey available from 19 to 26 March 2020. Out of a total of 21207 respondents, 608 (2.9%) reported suffering from DD (mean age ±SD = 41.2 years±14.07 [18-82], 80.6% women). The subsample (608) was divided according to age, “youngsters” <45 (57.4%)/ “elders” ≥45. DASS-21 and IES scales were employed. Statistical analyses: Chi-square, t-Student test.

Both groups did not differ (p>0.05) in sex, having COVID-19 symptoms, having family/friends infected, or income changes. While youngsters were single more frequently (68.8% vs 14.3%, χ² = 179.7, p<0.001), elders had somatic illness more frequently (64.8% vs 39.7% χ² =30.401, p<0.001). Youngsters obtained higher scores in depression (4.69 vs 4.1, T=5.413, p<0.001), anxiety (2.86 vs 1.97, T=5.249, p<0.001) and stress (4.48 vs 3.17, T=6.355, p<0.001) DASS-21 subscales, as in intrusive (3.42 vs 3.05, T=1.984, p=0.048) and avoidant (4.64 vs 4.11, T=3.056, p=0.002) IES scores.

Despite the group of elders with depression being more vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease and presenting more frequently somatic comorbidities, younger depressive patients suffered more from depressive, anxiety, stress and avoidant symptoms and intrusive thoughts, in line with previous reports in the general population.

No significant relationships.

A considerable percentage of Health Care Workers (HCW) have experienced psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from previous pandemics suggest that HCW might develop psychiatric disorders. Psychosocial and workplace measures can improve mental wellbeing of the MHW. As part of the program of the Hospital to give support to the HCW, five support weekly open dynamic groups have been carried out with HCW from the COVID Areas of our Hospital including the ICU

Identify recurrent contents in the group that express areas ofconcern Identify HCW in risk of develop a psuchiatric disorder and refer them to their apropiate level o

The sessions were carried out in a freely open group and the contents expressed in the sessions were recorded and analyzed ina narrative way. Special attention was given to the the more stresfull activities identified, to Signs of overload and to the ability to seek relief, as well as signs of disruption of personal life outside of work. Four sessions of 90 minutes, with staff of the same area were established and after these four sessions booster sessions was offered through continuity groups to members with need of more long term care as well as individual care.

The recurrent areas identified were Concern about inadequite Personal Protective Equipment Concern about spreading the infection in their own families Need for relief and avoid double turn Uncertainty about the course of the illness Exposure to patients suffering and dying

HCW need nor only psychological support but also pragmatic measures

No significant relationships.

The COVID-19 viral pandemic has taken the world by surprise. The pandemic has caused a great impact on the mental health and wellbeing of pregnant women with mental health difficulties. Healthcare providers veered towards video-telemedicine to safely and swiftly provide services to its users.

To determine impact of Video-telemedicine on: 1. Access to Care 2. Ease of Use 3. Quality of Care 4. Difficulties of Use 5. Future Prospects of Video Telemedicine

We have decided to conduct a targeted survey to 100 pregnant women who are known to Perinatal Mental Health services to assess the new methods of contact that the viral pandemic has enforced upon healthcare providers.

Pre-pandemic: video-telemedicine was ranked as least preferred Post-pandemic it is ranked as second favourite. 70.4% of responders have confirmed that video-telemedicine significantly facilitated access to care. 23.3% of responders insisted video-telemedicine made the service better. 50% of responders thought it was much easier to use video options to access their care services needs 95.4% of responders felt that video-telemedicine alternatives should remain post-pandemic

Video-telemedicine options have significantly improved the access and quality of services provided by Community Health Services to pregnant women during the pandemic. Video options can also make it easier to reach critical care without negatively affecting the quality of wholistic care provided, in fact, it can sometimes improve it. It is important that the psychiatric field learn from this pandemic and implement these services permanently. Bigger and wider studies need to be done in the future to support these conclusions.

No significant relationships.

The rapid spread of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic among the world poses challenges to the management of both physical and mental health. This unexpected situation could predict an exacerbation of anxiety, depressions, obsessions, and even multiple cases of psychosis.

The aim of this literature review is to identify and analyze studies conducted in 2020 that investigate the incidence of psychotic disorders, related to COVID-19 pandemic and describe its symptoms.

A systematic search in the PubMed electronic database was performed using keywords “COVID-19”, “pandemics”, “psychotic symptoms”, and “ first episode of psychosis” Relevant literature was limited to articles describing studies conducted and published in 2020.

9 papers met the inclusion criteria. The selected studies reported 20 cases of psychosis in patients with no psychiatric history, directly triggered by stress derived from the COVID-19 pandemic and by social distancing and quarantine. All cases were characterized by sudden behavioral changes out of character, increased concern about coronavirus risk infection, anxiety, psychomotor agitation, and insomnia. In multiple cases, psychotic symptoms were characterized by thoughts of reference, persecution, and structured delusional. 5 patients were convinced that COVID-19 Pandemic was part of a conspiracy and that someone was trying to infect them by diffusing the COVID-19 or other pollutants. Half of the patients had the delusional conviction that they got infected and they were contagious.

COVID-19 pandemic appears to be the trigger for precipitating psychosis which has a high risk of suicidal behavior. During pandemics, mental health professionals should carry out more focused diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

No significant relationships.