The Aftermath

Post-pandemic Psychiatric Implications of the Covid-19 Pandemic, a South Korean Perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID15519185
AuthorsSooyeon Min (0000-0002-9414-5635, Seoul National University Hospital), Yun Ha Jeong (0000-0001-7703-6659, Korea Brain Research Institute), Jeongyeon Kim (0000-0003-0019-7619, Korea Brain Research Institute), Ja Wook Koo (0000-0001-6233-1583, Korea Brain Research Institute, corresponding author), Yong Min Ahn (0000-0002-4458-797X, Seoul National University, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume12
Pages671722-671722
Publication date2021-10-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2021.671722
PMID34744808
OpenAlexW3210256909
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited35

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted our everyday life. Along with the fear of getting infected or of having loved ones infected, the lifestyle changes and the socioeconomic consequences of the pandemic have profound impact on mental health of the general population. While numerous studies on immediate psychological responses to COVID-19 are being published, there is a lack of discussion on its possible long-term sequelae. In this study, we systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed longitudinal studies that examined mental health of the general population prior to and during the pandemic. Furthermore, we explored the long-term psychiatric implications of the pandemic with data from South Korea. Our analysis showed that the number of suicidal deaths during the pandemic was lower than the previous years in many countries, which is in contrast with the increased depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in the general population in South Korea as well as in other countries. To explain this phenomenon, we propose a possibility of delayed impacts. The post-traumatic stress, long-term consequences of social restrictions, and maladaptive response to the "new normal" are discussed in the paper. COVID-19 being an unprecedented global crisis, more research and international collaboration are needed to understand, to treat, and to prevent its long-term effects on our mental health

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Disease · Outbreak · Pandemic · Perspective (graphical · Psychiatry · Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 · Medicine · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Virology

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