Psychological Health Status of Psychiatric Patients Living in Treatment Communities before and during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Brief Report

• Main Authors: Pierluigi Cordellieri, Benedetta Barchielli, Valeria Masci, Francesca Viani, Ivan de Pinto, Andrea Priori, Felice Damiano Torriccelli, Chiara Cosmo, Stefano Ferracuti, Anna Maria Giannini, Jessica Burrai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: COVID-19; psychiatric patients; mental illness; cognitive function; psychiatric symptoms; risk perception
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/7/3567
• ISSN: 1661-7827; 1660-4601

Many studies investigated the psychological impact of lockdown measures on the general population, while few studies focused on the psychiatric population. This study aimed to investigate the role of therapeutic communities in the management and containment of symptoms of patients with psychosis living in psychiatric residential facilities. Data were collected at two different points: November 2019 (Coronavirus disease 19 had not yet spread) and April 2020 (during the lockdown in Italy). Twenty-two study participants were recruited from three residential accredited psychiatric facilities. During lockdown, the patients showed a small increase in symptomatology in terms of emotional isolation. In addition, it was been observed significant differences in certain functional areas of the behavior, measured as lower inclination towards violent behaviors during lockdown, and higher scores in substance abuse and medical impairment. The lockdown condition could represent a form of containment; daily routines, along with adequate social support, are important aspects of the stability and the level of behavioral functioning of psychiatric patients. Social support and continuity of care offered by psychiatric communities can be an effective safeguard against the psychological impact of the COVID-19 epidemic.