Psychiatric co morbidity in patients being treated for COVID-19: A cross-sectional study in India

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the central health crises of a generation and has affected people of all nations, continents, races, and socioeconomic groups. No matter how much resources are put aside, the patient are vulnerable to develop psychological and sleep problems due to covid as there is no specific management for covid 19 infection. There could be multiple causes of mental health issues in COVID-19 , ranging from stigma, hospitalization, uncertainty about prognosis, media created fear, lack of social/family support, loneliness, and even feeling of not having last right/rituals after death. AIM: To determine mental health issues among patients being treated for COVID-19 infection. METHODS : A random sample of COVID 19 in Era medical college was examined using a cross-sectional design(n=200).Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire(PHQ-9).Anxiety was assessed using the Beck Anxiety Inventory(BAI).Sleep was evaluated using the Insomnia Severity Index(ISI). RESULTS: 31% of patients were having moderate anxiety symptoms.20% reported of mild depression whereas 62.5% had subthreshold insomnia. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 has devastating effects within the short time and cause increase in mental health problems in Covid 19 patients. We should learn from this experience that in future, in such exigencies, the mental health services should be geared up to adapt to the emerging situation.