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Demaria F, Pontillo M, Di Vincenzo C, Di Luzio M, Vicari S. Hand Washing: When Ritual Behavior Protects! Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms in Young People during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Narrative Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11113191. [PMID: 35683574 PMCID: PMC9181440 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11113191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a profound impact on the lifestyles and mental health of young people. It has been hypothesized that the focus on hygiene and the fear of contamination/infection during the pandemic may have exacerbated obsessive–compulsive (OC) symptoms in this population. OC symptoms are widespread in the general population, with varying degrees of intensity. At their most extreme, they manifest in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), which is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. The present narrative review aimed at evaluating the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and OCD and OC symptoms in young people, especially children and adolescents with and without OCD, focusing on vulnerability and risk factors and the impact of lockdown measures. Of the six studies identified, four examined clinical samples diagnosed with OCD and two looked at community-based adolescent samples. Five of the six studies found that OC symptoms increased during the pandemic. Additionally, vulnerability to anxiety may constitute a risk condition and the lockdown measures and personal stressful life events can constitute potential triggers of OC symptoms, while ongoing treatment for OCD had a protective effect. The results suggest that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, obsessive and compulsive behavior (e.g., hand washing) in young people at the greatest risk should be monitored, and the intervention of mental health services should be maintained. More research is needed in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Demaria
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-6859-2735; Fax: +39-06-6859-2450
| | - Maria Pontillo
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Cristina Di Vincenzo
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Michelangelo Di Luzio
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
| | - Stefano Vicari
- Child and Adolescence Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, IRCCS (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico) Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, 00165 Rome, Italy; (M.P.); (C.D.V.); (M.D.L.); (S.V.)
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Axon DR, Cernasev A, Desai M, Connor SE, Jonkman LJ, Sekar MC. Evaluating Students' COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (COVKAP) during the COVID-19 Pandemic. PHARMACY (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 10:pharmacy10020046. [PMID: 35448705 PMCID: PMC9032217 DOI: 10.3390/pharmacy10020046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to significant disruption in students’ lives through lockdowns, restricted movement, remote instruction, and mixed information. Therefore, this study aimed to capture the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of student pharmacists during 2020–2021. A 43-item COVID-19 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (COVKAP) survey previously developed was administered at four schools of pharmacy across the U.S. during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. A total of 418 responses were analyzed from graduating classes of 2021–2024. There were no significant differences in correct COVID-19 knowledge responses across the four graduating years. Respondents’ attitudes around COVID-19 were homogenous with the exception for their belief in their preparedness to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Respondents reported wearing masks daily (76.8%), infrequently visiting restaurants (82.1%), practicing social distancing daily (45.7%), and referring to medical journals for information (72%). In conclusion, during the pandemic, student pharmacists experienced significant changes in their academic lives. Their knowledge and subsequent attitudes and practices were consistent with the state of evidence during Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. Subsequently, as newer information has emerged, the authors suggest that the COVKAP survey may be modified and administered frequently to address student needs and concerns as the pandemic evolves.
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Affiliation(s)
- David R. Axon
- Department of Pharmacy Practice & Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, 1295 N. Martin Ave., Tucson, AZ 85721, USA;
| | - Alina Cernasev
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Translational Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 301 S. Perimeter Park Dr., Suite 220, Nashville, TN 37211, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-901-810-5805
| | - Meghana Desai
- Health Analytics Network, Pittsburgh, PA 15237, USA;
| | - Sharon E. Connor
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 33501 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (S.E.C.); (L.J.J.)
| | - Lauren J. Jonkman
- Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy, 33501 Terrace St, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; (S.E.C.); (L.J.J.)
| | - M. Chandra Sekar
- College of Pharmacy, University of Findlay, Findlay, OH 45840, USA;
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Maye CE, Wojcik KD, Candelari AE, Goodman WK, Storch EA. Obsessive compulsive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic: A brief review of course, psychological assessment and treatment considerations. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2022; 33:100722. [PMID: 35194549 PMCID: PMC8855616 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2022.100722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an impairing mental health condition defined by intense distress in the presence of unwanted, recurrent thoughts, images, or impulses which are accompanied by compulsions and avoidance performed to reduce distress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, OCD has continued to be an impairing mental health condition regardless of symptom dimensionality (e.g., contamination, harm, etc.) with varying reports of the overall clinical course. However, changes in the assessment, treatment, and diagnosis of OCD have occurred to personalize care and be aligned with public health guidelines. Exposure and response prevention and pharmacotherapy remain the treatment of choice, even though the setting in which treatment is conducted may have shifted. Telehealth in particular has been a 'game-changer' for clinicians and patients alike. Given the continued health risk posed by the pandemic, treatment personalization should still be made to ensure safety for both patients and providers while balancing efficacy and patient preferences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlyn E Maye
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
| | - Katharine D Wojcik
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
| | - Abigail E Candelari
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
| | - Wayne K Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
| | - Eric A Storch
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, USA
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Pinciotti CM, Bulkes NZ, Horvath G, Riemann BC. Efficacy of intensive CBT telehealth for obsessive-compulsive disorder during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Obsessive Compuls Relat Disord 2022; 32:100705. [PMID: 34956827 PMCID: PMC8692880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2021.100705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Despite evidence for the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), many individuals with OCD lack access to needed behavioral health treatment. Although some literature suggests that virtual modes of treatment for OCD are effective, it remains unclear whether intensive programs like partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs (PHP and IOPs) can be delivered effectively over telehealth (TH) and within the context of a global pandemic. Limited extant research suggests that clinicians perceive attenuated treatment response during the pandemic. The trajectory and outcomes of two matched samples were compared using linear mixed modeling: a pre-COVID in-person (IP) sample (n = 239) and COVID TH sample (n = 239). Findings suggested that both modalities are effective at treating OCD and depressive symptoms, although the pandemic TH group required an additional 2.6 treatment days. The current study provides evidence that PHP and IOP treatment delivered via TH during the COVID-19 pandemic is approximately as effective as pre-pandemic IP treatment and provides promising findings for the future that individuals with complicated OCD who do not have access to IP treatment can still experience significant improvement in symptoms through TH PHP and IOP treatment during and potentially after the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin M Pinciotti
- Rogers Behavioral Health System, 34700 Valley Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066, USA
| | - Nyssa Z Bulkes
- Rogers Behavioral Health System, 34700 Valley Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066, USA
| | - Gregor Horvath
- Rogers Behavioral Health System, 34700 Valley Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066, USA
| | - Bradley C Riemann
- Rogers Behavioral Health System, 34700 Valley Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066, USA
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Alhujaili N, Alghamdi A, Abo Talib T, Alhaqbani M, Alfelali M, Alghamdi W. The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Obsession and Compulsion Symptoms in Saudi Arabia. Cureus 2021; 13:e20021. [PMID: 34987909 PMCID: PMC8716747 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.20021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common condition that has a significant impact on people’s lives. COVID-19 pandemic imposed a challenging situation for the general population with new precautionary measures. All that can have serious implications for those who already have intense concerns about cleanliness and hygiene and those diagnosed with OCD. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the emergence and severity of obsession and compulsion symptoms in Saudi Arabia. Methods This was a cross-sectional study with 1,190 participants who completed an online three-part questionnaire that included sociodemographic data, the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) checklist, and (Y-BOCS) severity scale. On account of the fact that OCD requires a clinical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis, screening positive for OCD was defined based on criteria A of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is selecting at least one of either obsession or compulsion symptoms or both. Screening positive for obsession was defined as selecting at least one of the obsessional symptoms while screening positive for compulsion was defined as selecting at least one of the compulsion symptoms. Results Overall, OCD screening was positive in 82% of participants. Previous diagnosis of OCD was reported by 2.6% (N=36) of the participants and 55.2% of them reported that their symptoms did not change during the pandemic, while 41.1% reported that their symptoms increased. Positive OCD screening was significantly higher in participants who reported previous psychological illness (87.6% vs. 80.9%), those who followed news related to COVID-19 on a daily basis (88.7% vs. 76.1%), and participants who had not acquired the infection (82.9%) compared to those who were infected with COVID-19 (72.3%). Conclusion The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the pandemic on OCD screening and symptoms. New OCD symptoms were reported in a high proportion of the participants. The results of this study can provide guidance for psychiatrists and psychologists in the clinical approach and management of patients with OCD. Further focused research on the factors affecting the emergence or severity of OCD symptoms needs to be conducted in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naseem Alhujaili
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Abdulaziz Alghamdi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Tariq Abo Talib
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia., Jeddah, SAU
| | - Muhammad Alhaqbani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Mohammad Alfelali
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
| | - Waleed Alghamdi
- Department of Psychiatry, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU
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