Open AccessPsychological and Mental Health Issues During the SARS-CoV-2 Global Pandemic: A Critical Analysis
Author(s) -
Tahmeena Khan,
Iqbal Azad,
Alfred J. Lawrence
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
coronaviruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2666-7975
pISSN - 2666-7967
DOI - 10.2174/2666796701999201117103132
Subject(s) - scopus , mental health , pandemic , boredom , psychiatry , medicine , medline , psychology , covid-19 , political science , social psychology , disease , pathology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
With the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China in December,2019, presently over 200 countries have been facing gruesome health effects of the deadly virus,with cases and casualties on the rise. So far, no concrete medicinal drug or vaccine has been developedto check the lethal viral infection, henceforth authorities have emphasized on practicing socialdistancing and imposed strict lockdowns forcing people to confine in their homes. Material and Methods: This review was aimed to analyze the effects on mental health and well beingduring the pandemic. The studies cited in the review were sourced from journals, books and digitalmedia reports. The research papers indexed in databases such as PUBMED, SCOPUS, INDEXCOPERNICUS, CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ABSTRACTS, MEDLINE, EMBASE, EBSCO,DOAJ and THOMSON REUTERS were reviewed and have been included in the review. Results: The coronavirus mayhem has not only posed a threat to human health, but also jolted differentaspects of society, including mental and psychological health. Loss of freedom, boredom,fear and angst are some of the mild psychological effects, whereas a rise in domestic violence andsuicidal tendencies is the more serious consequence reported from different parts of the world duringthe lockdown period. Conclusion: This article is a comprehensive analysis of the effects on mental and psychologicalwell being during this critical time. Strategic measures to be adopted by individuals and administrationto cope up with the situation are also suggested as it should be an immediate priority to addressthe overall distress caused by the pandemic in public.