With news of COVID-19, the infection caused by novel coronavirus, hitting the media on a daily basis, the article by Samantha Brooks and colleagues in the Lancet regarding the psychological impact of quarantine is both timely and important. Brookes et al. (2020) unsurprisingly found evidence of negative psychological effects from quarantine including confusion, anger and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Research also suggests these impacts can be long-lasting for some. Factors associated with increased risk of negative psychological impact were longer duration of quarantine, fears about infection, boredom, frustration, lack of information and stigma. Brooks et al. (2020) conclude that where and when quarantine is advised, people should be provided with a clear rationale for its necessity.

But what about the impact of daily media reporting about COVID-19 on our collective psychological wellbeing? Are we currently living with a higher than usual or expected level of ‘threat’ from a virus that appears to be defying all measures taken to ‘contain’ or ‘manage’ it? Importantly, concerns arise in relation to other infections (including the flu); however, the media has highlighted how COVID-19 is a new and unique threat. Has this led to mass anxiety with the potential for hysteria? What is the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on those people who may be already vulnerable to the impact of anxiety – older people, the physically frail and those with pre-existing mental ill-health?

We know from research that there are clear psychological impacts from living with other forms of ‘threat’, as, for example, terrorism. Martín-Peña et al. (2017) summarises the psychosocial effects from this form of threat, including disrupted thought processes and risk perception, elevated emotional reactions, increased perception of vulnerability, increased suspicion and distrust, reduced perceived control and reduced social interactions.

We also know that depression rates increase after ‘outbreaks’ of other chronic and infectious diseases, and that anxiety and panic can be triggered and/or exacerbated (for example human immunodeficiency virus and anthrax public health threats, Kuan et al. 2019). People worry about themselves or family and friends ‘catching’ the infection, and the lack of a treatment for COVID-19 may make such worry in this current health threat situation even more anxiety-provoking. Clearly it is far too early to be able to report on the definitive psychological impact of COVID-19, but perhaps we, as Clinical Psychologists, should be both aware and prepared for an anticipated impact of COVID-19 on the people and communities we serve.

Clinical Psychologists are well-placed to provide support and care across communities and model empathy and understanding, as well as real-world, real-time practical support and interventions to those impacted by the actual coronavirus as well as the threat of COVID-19. It is at times like this that our professional ethics of non-judgemental and collective compassion can really show its strength and impact on society.

Dorothy Frizelle
Director for Membership and Member Services

References

Brooks et al. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30460-8

Javier Martín-Peña, Ana Andrés, Pedro J. Ramos-Villagrasa & Jordi Escartín (2017) Living under threat: psychosocial effects on victims of terrorism, Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 9:3, 191-207, DOI: 10.1080/19434472.2016.1198412

Kuan V, Denaxas S, Gonzalez-Izquierdo A, et al. A chronological map of 308 physical and mental health conditions from 4 million individuals in the English National Health Service. Lancet Digital Health. 2019;1:e63-e77.

Dorothy Frizelle is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Director for Membership and Member Services at ACP-UK and Joint Interim Lead of the Clinical Health Psychology Network