Covid-19 and mental health

Abstract

Because of their epidemic nature, infections such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic cause neuropsychological and social problems which are significantly different from other known infections. Many studies on the COVID-19 pandemic have shown higher levels of mental problems such as anxiety, depression, panic disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder especially in patients and individuals who are in the risk group. Due to biopsychosocial characteristics of people, infections, especially epidemic infections, seriously impair the quality of life by dramatically affecting these three structures, namely biology, psychology and social quality of life of a person. As numerous studies have shown, the entire human innate and adaptive immune system and the psychological and mental state of an individual are directly linked. Many studies have reported that quarantine and social restrictions can trigger depressive symptoms such as anxiety, obsession, and anhedonia. Some researchers have claimed that information from unknown sources on social media increases the psychological and psychosocial symptoms of obsession, anxiety and fear of death. Consequently, a multidisciplinary study is necessary in the treatment and prevention of coronavirus pandemic.