June 16, 2020 — The coronavirus pandemic and ensuing response caused a spike in mental health problems, with one-fifth of Croatian citizens reporting increased levels of anxiety, depression and stress.
A survey conducted by the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb showed psychological consequences directly tied to the pandemic in one-fifth of all participants; 25 percent of respondents developed mental disorders, and 40 percent of citizens who previously had certain mental disorders said their condition worsened.
The study surveyed a sample of 3,500 adult respondents of all ages. Its full results will be unveiled on Thursday, according to Vecernji List.
The research on the psychological consequences of the pandemic was conducted through an online survey, so it can be assumed that it was completed by more computer-literate and better-educated citizens from all over the country.
“While, as expected, stress and anxiety were felt equally by all age groups, single people, older people, citizens living in families with unsettled relationships and citizens who previously had mental disorders were more depressed,” psychology professor Gordana Kuterovac Jagodić from the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb told Večernji List.
Although during the epidemic, which is now subsiding, it has been constantly pointed out that senior citizens are the most vulnerable and at-risk group for corona infection, it is surprising that most seniors consider themselves at low risk.
Only 38 percent of senior citizens stated that they consider themselves more vulnerable than other groups of citizens, while 28 percent of retirees are very worried that their pensions will be reduced.
Parents who worked at home while staying with their young children endured the biggest drop in mental health.
Petrana Brečić, director of the Vrapče Psychiatric Clinic, said their office received calls for psychological help from citizens who had never had psychological difficulties before.
Doctors who were on the first line of defense against the corona are also expected to have problems with PTSD due to the crisis caused by the coronavirus.
COVID-19, which had hit the whole world, is an extraordinary situation that has necessarily caused an increased need for people to adapt. During the period of semi-isolation, which also entails economic consequences, it is normal for people to have different emotional reactions and some psychological symptoms, such as stress and anxiety.
Many citizens developed symptoms or disorders, most often anxiety, had problems with insomnia, were nervous, or tense.
When it comes to the mental health of citizens, bigger problems could only be seen over time, in a few months.
“When on a practical and everyday level we begin to face the consequences of the crisis, whether health, economic and financial, then, paradoxically, we will have to adapt even harder and this adjustment will be long-lasting and will require a lot of mental effort,” Brečić said. “Personally, I expect that in three, four, six months to a year there will be a lot more impact and consequences of the coronavirus epidemic on our psychic apparatus.”
Then citizens could show symptoms of anxiety disorder, including PTSD, although it will not be PTSD in the common form. It may only be present in people who were at the forefront of the fight against the epidemic and those who were most exposed to the epidemic and earthquake.
“As time goes on people will have more anxiety disorders and depression, which does not have to be a sign of illness, but is a reaction to the situation they have gone through,” Brečić said in an earlier interview in May. “Maybe some people's addiction to psychoactive drugs and alcohol will worsen.”
