Trends in New Psychiatric Diagnoses inPersons During Peri-pandemic Periods at theGeorgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Introduction
Introduction: COVID-19 has caused significant impact globally. Psychiatricdisordersthat resulted after pandemics included anxiety, depression,post-traumatic stress disorder, psychological distress and alcoholusedisorder.
Objectives
Objective: To describe persons with newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders attheGPHC Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic during the peri-pandemicperiod.
Method
Methods: This retrospective observational study was conductedat theGeorgetown Public Hospital Psychiatry Outpatient clinicassessing theperiod March 11th, 2020, to May 6th, 2020, with control data from thesame period in 2019 and 2021. It included Any person of any age whoreceived a psychiatric diagnosis for the first time at the GPHCPsychiatry Outpatient clinic during the period outlined.
Results
Results: The average number of patients in 2020 (M = 5.6, SD = 2.9)wassignificantly lower compared to both 2019 (M = 11.9, SD = 4.4) and2021 (M = 10.5, SD = 3.4), with mean differences of -6.25 (p =0.007,95% CI [-10.955, -1.545]) and -4.875 (p = 0.041, 95% CI[-9.580,-0.170]), respectively. Substance Related and AddictiveDisordersrepresented the majority of new psychiatric diagnoses given topatientsduring the three years studied. In 2019, 2020 and 2021 thiswas 26.3%, 33.3% and 28.6% respectively.
Conclusion
Conclusions : There was a decrease in the number of new psychiatric diagnosesduring2020. Substance Related and Addictive Disorders is the mostcommongroup of diagnoses in persons in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Themajority ofnew persons who received psychiatric diagnoses in 2019 and2020 weremale but women consisted of the majority in 2021.
Recommendations
Recommendations : Mental health should be a focus of intervention at the beginning ofanypandemic. Governments should establish multidisciplinary teams in mental healthat various levels. Populations should be stratified to make necessary interventions. Programs for stress recognition and its management shouldbeimplemented.