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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with pre-existing mood disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 April 2021

James McLoughlin Open the ORCID record for James McLoughlin [Opens in a new window] ,
Margaret M. O’Grady  and
Brian Hallahan
James McLoughlin*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
Margaret M. O’Grady
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland
Brian Hallahan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: Dr. James McLoughlin, Department of Psychiatry, Acute Adult Mental Health Unit, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. (Email: james.mcloughlin@hse.ie)
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Abstract

Objectives:

To examine the psychological and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with established mood disorders during a period of stringent mandated social restrictions.

Methods:

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 36 individuals attending the Galway–Roscommon Mental Health Services with an International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision (ICD-10) diagnosis of either Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPAD) (n = 20) or Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) (n = 16) in this cross-sectional study. We determined the impact of the COVID-19 restrictions on anxiety and depressive symptoms, impulsivity, thoughts of self-harm, social and occupational functioning and quality of life.

Results:

The COVID-19 pandemic deleteriously impacted mental health (56.3% v. 15.0%, χ2 = 7.42, p = 0.02), and mood (75.0% v. 20.0%, χ2 = 11.17, p = 0.002) to a greater extent in the EUPD compared to the bipolar disorder cohort, with 43.8% of individuals with EUPD reporting an increase in suicidal ideation. Psychometric rating scales [Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Scale (BDS), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), Barratt Impulsivity Scale (BIS)] and Likert scales for anxiety, mood and quality of life noted significantly higher levels of psychopathology in the EUPD cohort (p < 0.01). Qualitative analysis reflected quantitative data with themes of the employment of maladaptive coping mechanisms and reduced mental health supports notable.

Conclusions:

Individuals with EUPD are experiencing significant mental health difficulties related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision and recommencement of therapeutic interventions to this cohort, in particular, are warranted given the significant distress and symptoms being experienced.

Keywords

Bipolar affective disorderborderline personality disorderCOVID-19emotionally unstable personality disordermood disorders
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 4 , December 2022 , pp. 363 - 372
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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