Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on depression in patients with schizophrenia: A mini-review of the current evidence

BACKGROUND: Since the emergence of COVID-19, there have been concerns about the psychological effects of the pandemic on people's mental health around the world. Individuals with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia (SCZ) may be more prone to develop mood disorders during the lockdowns due to their limited access to healthcare, reduced social support, and probable cognitive impairment. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed and Scopus to explore the effects of the pandemic on depressive symptoms in individuals with SCZ. A total of 12 studies were included. RESULTS: Overall, studies suggested higher depression rates in patients with SCZ compared to healthy controls. Isolation due to the COVID-19 infection emerged as a risk factor for the development of depressive symptoms. However, results regarding the longitudinal changes of depression in SCZ patients during the lockdowns were inconsistent. LIMITATIONS: The small sample sizes of studies, different depression scales and stages of the lockdowns, as well as the different government policies and restriction levels across the countries limit the conclusions of the present review. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests an increased probability of depression in patients with SCZ during the pandemic. Identifying the risk factors for developing depression in this population helps find new, suitable approaches to address patients' needs and lower the adverse psychological effects of the pandemic.