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2020-05-16

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cc-by-nc-nd (c) Elsevier B.V., 2020
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/172720

Unravelling potential severe psychiatric repercussions on healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 crisis

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.061

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is putting healthcare professionals, especially those in the frontline, under extreme pressures, with a high risk of experiencing physical exhaustion, psychological disturbances, stigmatization, insomnia, depression and anxiety. We report the case of a general practitioner, without relevant somatic or psychiatric history that experienced a 'brief reactive psychosis (298.8)' under stressful circumstances derived from COVID-19. She presented with delusional ideas of catastrophe regarding the current pandemic situation, delusions of self-reference, surveillance and persecution, with high affective and behavioural involvement. Physical examination and all further additional investigations did not reveal any secondary causes. She was administered olanzapine 10 mg with significant psychopathological improvement being later discharged with indications to maintain the treatment. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of severe mental illness in a healthcare professional without previous psychiatric history due to COVID-19 outbreak. Around 85% of patients presenting a brief psychotic disorder will develop a potentially disabling serious psychotic illness in the long-term. This case represents the potentially serious mental health consequences on healthcare professionals throughout the COVID-19 crisis and emphasizes the need to implement urgent measures to maintain staff mental health during the current pandemic.

Subject

Salut mental, Serveis sanitaris, Psicologia del treball, COVID-19, Depressió psíquica

Subject (English)

Mental health, Health services, Industrial psychology, COVID-19, Mental depression

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Articles publicats en revistes (Medicina)
Articles publicats en revistes (IDIBAPS: Institut d'investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer)

Citation

ANMELLA, Gerard, et al. Unravelling potential severe psychiatric repercussions on healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2020. Vol. 273, num. 422-424. ISSN 0165-0327. [consulted: 17 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/172720

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