James A Karantonis1, Susan L Rossell2, Michael Berk3, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen4. 1. Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 2. Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, St Vincent's Hospital, VIC, Australia. 3. Deakin University, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Geelong, Australia; Barwon Health, PO Box 281, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia; Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, the Department of Psychiatry, and the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. 4. Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for Mental Health, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: tamsyn.van@unimelb.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: It is unclear how those with bipolar disorder (BD) have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to obtain a more detailed understanding of the current mental health needs of these individuals, which is important for both the development of intervention strategies to better manage patient distress and to better prepare for similar circumstances in future. METHODS: The sample comprised 43 individuals with a verified diagnosis of BD and 24 healthy controls. Data about pandemic-related mental health support use, socio-demographics, mood, lifestyle, social rhythm and subjective cognitive dysfunction data were collected and compared between groups. Inter-relationships between scores were also examined. RESULTS: No between-group differences were found in terms of age, sex, living situation, job loss or reduced work hours due to COVID-19. Most patients with BD reported a history of ongoing formal psychological support (68.3%), with most continuing this support throughout the pandemic (82.1%). A large, statistically significant pandemic-related increase in subjective cognitive dysfunction was evident in the BD group. Subjective cognitive dysfunction was significantly associated with negative symptomology, suicidal thoughts, and quality of life ratings. LIMITATIONS: Data was collected in self-report format in an online survey and objective symptom measures were not used at this time CONCLUSION: The absenceof substantial differences between patients and controls in terms of mood symptoms, COVID-19 fear or lifestyle factors and social rhythms suggests a degree of resilience in BD patients; despite large pandemic related increases in subjective cognitive dysfunction.
BACKGROUND: It is unclear how those with bipolar disorder (BD) have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to obtain a more detailed understanding of the current mental health needs of these individuals, which is important for both the development of intervention strategies to better manage patient distress and to better prepare for similar circumstances in future. METHODS: The sample comprised 43 individuals with a verified diagnosis of BD and 24 healthy controls. Data about pandemic-related mental health support use, socio-demographics, mood, lifestyle, social rhythm and subjective cognitive dysfunction data were collected and compared between groups. Inter-relationships between scores were also examined. RESULTS: No between-group differences were found in terms of age, sex, living situation, job loss or reduced work hours due to COVID-19. Most patients with BD reported a history of ongoing formal psychological support (68.3%), with most continuing this support throughout the pandemic (82.1%). A large, statistically significant pandemic-related increase in subjective cognitive dysfunction was evident in the BD group. Subjective cognitive dysfunction was significantly associated with negative symptomology, suicidal thoughts, and quality of life ratings. LIMITATIONS: Data was collected in self-report format in an online survey and objective symptom measures were not used at this time CONCLUSION: The absenceof substantial differences between patients and controls in terms of mood symptoms, COVID-19 fear or lifestyle factors and social rhythms suggests a degree of resilience in BDpatients; despite large pandemic related increases in subjective cognitive dysfunction.
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