Doctors concerned about the mental state of Poles. What’s happening to us? Psychiatrists say

What is the current mental state of Poles? 74 percent Psychiatrists who were asked this question believe that it is worse than before the COVID-19 pandemic. This explains why people who experience mental disorders for the first time come to the surgeries of this specialty more often than ever before. What diseases and problems most often bother us? The answers came from a survey conducted by the Dialog Therapy Center among psychiatrists from all over Poland.

1. The mental state of Poles is worse than before COVID-19. 74,3 percent think so. psychiatrists participating in the Dialog Therapy Center survey
2. According to experts, the main cause of the current situation is the coronavirus pandemic
3. Poles report to a psychiatrist with anxiety, depression, psychiatric and neurological complications after suffering COVID-19
4. Doctors observe an increasing need for psychiatric help, including urgent care, including hospitalization
5. More important information can be found on the Onet homepage.

The mental condition of Poles is worse than before the pandemic

Due to reports on the growing number of patients with psychiatrists and psychotherapists, the Dialog Therapy Center decided to ask a representative sample of 350 psychiatrists from all over Poland about how they assess the current mental state of Poles.

74,3 percent of respondents decided that it was worse than two years ago, i.e. before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. 19,1 percent assessed that “it is the same, but I observed a temporary deterioration during the pandemic”, 2,9% of surveyed doctors indicated that the condition was “similar to it two years ago, it did not change much in the pandemic”. Only 1 percent. the psychiatrists participating in the study concluded that the mental state of Poles had improved.

Photo Dialog Therapy Center

What do specialists base their assessments on?

Doctors concerned about the mental condition of Poles. The most common problems

Psychiatrists observe that nowadays, “more people are seeking help; many regular patients who were consistently improved began to report a deterioration in well-being ». Doctors clearly indicate that the main cause of the current situation is the coronavirus pandemic.

«The mental condition of Poles is much worse – there are many more patients and this is clearly caused by a pandemic – as the patients themselves say. They come with anxiety states, depressive disorders and a number of psychiatric and neurological complications after going through covid ».

“Poles are closely watching the development of the pandemic, and tracking information about COVID-19 has a negative impact on their thinking. You can see a growing uncertainty, a feeling of helplessness in the face of the disease, and new doubts about research on the virus keep appearing ”.

What is happening to children and adolescents? Psychiatrists judge

Patients who develop mental disorders for the first time in their lives visit the offices of psychiatrists more often than ever.

“I have many new patients with anxiety and depressive disorders who had never had contact with a psychiatrist or a psychologist before the pandemic” – emphasizes one of the surveyed psychiatrists. Another adds: «I am seeing a clear influx of new patients. They often associate the emergence of psychopathological symptoms with the situation of a pandemic (concerns for their health, safety and the safety of their loved ones, loss of relatives) and the resulting limitations ».

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Mental disorders have recently also affected children and adolescents more often. Social isolation at a time when the number of people infected was highest, school closings and the lack of meetings with friends caused anxiety and disturbed the sense of security. One of the psychiatrists of children and adolescents presents his observations as follows: “I see the worse condition of my patients. Children “trapped” in their homes and restricted in their movement during subsequent lockdowns do not feel well ”.

The financial situation and its influence on the psyche of Poles

Psychiatrists agree that Poles report a deterioration of well-being because their financial situation has changed adversely. “Patients suffered major financial and professional consequences related to lockdown, job loss and financial liquidity,” says one interviewee. Another emphasizes: “I am observing a significant increase in reports of patients with problems resulting from the financial crisis caused, among others, by collective redundancies ». The fear of preserving jobs is one of the most important factors contributing to the deterioration of patients’ well-being.

The results of the study show that psychiatrists have noticed a significant increase in the crisis interventions for which they are called. “I observe the intensity of the need for psychiatric help, including urgent care, and more often I refer patients to urgent hospitalization during the first visit”. Patients reach the doctor, often in serious condition, which necessitates hospital treatment. “The number of hospitalized patients has increased significantly” – emphasizes one of the respondents.

Psychiatrist: we can really help every patient

The above data indicate that the work of psychiatrists is currently of key importance. «Psychiatrists try to do their best to deal with the deterioration of the mental state of Poles. Unfortunately, this fight is unequal, because the needs of patients are growing and the virus continues to spread »- we read in the study report. Unfortunately, the availability of psychiatric advice is very limited.

It is worth knowing that, according to the data of the Supreme Medical Chamber, there are only 4 in Poland. 82 psychiatrists and 393 child psychiatrists.

– But you cannot give up – says prof. dr. hab. n. med. Marek Jarema, psychiatrist from the Dialog Therapy Center – Especially on the occasion of the World Mental Health Day on October 10, I would like to appeal to Poles to report to a psychiatrist for an appointment at the first disturbing symptoms and then follow their doctor’s recommendations. We know how to effectively treat mental disorders and diseases. We can really help every patient.

The survey was conducted online among 350 psychiatrists from all over Poland on September 25-29.

Dialog Therapy Center is a mental health center which, by joining the forces of over 250 psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists, has already helped over 100 people. patients. He also conducts wide-ranging research activities.

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