ALTERATION IN THE MENTAL HEALTH STATUS DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Abstract

Introduction: After the outbreak of COVID-19 from China, it rapidly spread across the whole world. COVID-19 pandemic changed the global dynamics. The sudden spread of the virus, uncertainty about the progress and factors related to the virus, unavailability of vaccine, lockdown, deaths in family and quarantine are a few factors that are expected to create a lot of concern for people. These factors can lead to heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Objective: We aim to study the effects of this pandemic on the mental health living in Pakistan. Methods: Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) questionnaireswere used to assess the level of anxiety, level of depression and status of mental wellbeing via an online survey. Results: Results show an alarming level of variation in the normal mental health among the participants. We found that more females than males reported shifts from normal mental health status. Mental health of younger age groups were also found to be more affected by the effects of COVID-19 pandemic compared to older age groups. Education, profession or residence did not show any significant effects on the mental health status during COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions:The novel corona virus is not only causing physical disease, but the pandemic is also affecting the mental health alarmingly.