The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related measures on people with psychiatric disorders in a small town in Greece

Introduction A pandemic can have significant effects on people’s emotional wellbeing. Infection control measures such as social distancing lead people to feel isolated and increased feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, sadness. Recent research showed a worrying increase in depression anxiety disorders, general distress, sleep disorders. People who already suffer from mental illness may be more vulnerable stress caused by the experience deterioration preexisting symptoms depression. Objectives The purpose present study was assess pandemic’s psychological impact with illness, investigate their COVID-19-related association various variables explore behavioral responses regarding against pandemic. Methods cross-sectional conducted March May 2022 outpatient health clinic provincial hospital Greece. Participants were patients, not fully disorganized been diagnosed before COVID-19 Among 50 adult 11 lived assisted living facilities. included sociodemographic questions, questions about fear COVID-19, negative feelings, safety behaviors, disease progression, compliance therapists. DASS-21 scale used measure 3 subscales states. Results Sadness reported most unpleasant emotion lockdown, following hopelessness denial. Several participants (36%) high levels mainly patients community facilities (40.1% vs 18.2%) males compared females (42.1% 32.3%). majority (70%) declared therapy. moderate severe progression during observed 28%, (38.7% 10.6%). Based mean scores ranged (16.2/42), (14.3/42), (18.4/42) without statistically correlation age, gender, situation. However, 34%, 22% 56% screened positive for extreme depression, stress, respectively. Conclusions revealed substantial proportion disorders emotions distress highlights need supportive services address pre-existing illnesses Disclosure Interest None Declared