Polish Journal of Public Health

Mental disorders in people infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – literature review

Numer specjalny – SARS CoV-2, Pol J Public Health 2019;129(4): 141-144

Anna Litwin, Jolanta Masiak

¹ II Klinika Psychiatrii i Rehabilitacji Psychiatrycznej, Państwowy Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 w Lublinie, Polska
² Samodzielnej Pracowni Badań Neurofizjologicznych, Katedra Psychiatrii, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Lublinie, Polska

10.2478/pjph-2019-0032

© 2020 Medical University of Lublin. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonComercial-No Derivs licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/)

Abstract

In many patients with confirmed or suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection, psychopathological symptoms appeared in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. The pathogenesis of mental disorders emerging due to the COVID-19 pandemic may include biological and psychosocial factors. COVID-19 can cause symptoms such as insomnia, attention or concentration deficit, anxiety, memory, orientation and consciousness disorders. COVID-19 affects central nervous system functions, which may cause neuropsychological symptoms in some patients, such as dizziness, headaches and consciousness disorders. Psychiatrists must be aware of the side effects of using certain medications among patients with COVID-19.
Administration of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug, in some hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is associated with occurrence of psychopathological side effects, such as mood and anxiety disorders, insomnia and sometimes psychotic symptoms. The COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact upon patients with already diagnosed mental disorders.
Based on research conducted during present pandemic and past epidemics, it can be assumed that many of these patients will develop: anxiety and depressive disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders. Mental disorders in people infected with the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 – literature review.

Keywords: COVID-19, mental health, stress disorder.