key: cord-1043111-t8icf4uo
authors: da Silva, Dandara Almeida Reis; Pimentel, Rodrigo Fernandes Weyll; Merces, Magno Conceição das
title: Covid-19 and the pandemic of fear: reflections on mental health
date: 2020-04-28
journal: Revista de saude publica
DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2020054002486
sha: ddeb65bc4f7b476f342843159abaab3387166d39
doc_id: 1043111
cord_uid: t8icf4uo

nan

Both original articles with primary data were conducted in China. One of these papers evaluated three groups: general population, frontline nurses and general nurses 2 . Frontline nurses were the least affected by emotional stress, condition linked to strategies to cope with emotional stress developed by these professionals. However, the accumulation of work overload may change this scenario, and the continuous exposure to emotional stress may trigger other disorders 3 . Regardless of the group, emotional stress was present in more than 60% 2 . In the general population (1210 individuals), 28.8% exhibited symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety and 53.8% reported psychological impact of moderate to severe intensity, because of the epidemic 4 .

Considering the epidemiological behavior of covid-19, the period of social isolation may be necessary indefinitely. Regardless of the covid-19 pandemic, social isolation itself is capable of triggering psychotic symptoms, as Kellerman et al. described in 1977 5 . In this study, they evaluated individuals in social isolation due to oncological disease, and observed symptoms of depression (92.3%), anxiety (76.9%), sleep disorders (61.5%) and hallucinations in 38.5% of the subjects, among other alterations 5 .

Besides the covid-19 pandemic, health professionals and the general population are at risk of mental illness. We must develop psychological support strategies to promote mental health, emphasizing the use of online technologies to maintain the necessary physical distancing. Keep in mind those already suffering from psychiatric disorders, which can be worsened by the current scenario. Surveillance will be needed to control the "pandemic of fear" and treat mental illness even after the covid-19 pandemic is resolved.

Characteristics of and important lessons from the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China: summary of a report of 72 314 cases from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Vicarious traumatization in the general public, members, and non-members of medical teams aiding in COVID-19 control

Prevalence and factors associated with Burnout Syndrome among Primary Health Care nursing professionals: a cross-sectional study

Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) epidemic among the general population in China

The psychological effects of isolation in protected environments