Health workers are giving attention to patients with Coronavirus disease, attributable deaths, and frontline responders. It is resulting in an enlarged intensive care unit and ventilation capacities. In this respect, marginalized populations are often avoided, like patients with severe mental illness and at high risk for medical co-morbidities. A mental disorder like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depressive disorder is a chronic illness that requires frequent treatment for preventing re-hospitalization and relapse. Vic Di Criscio however, during the pandemic, medical procedures are on the decline, which has resulted in a global challenge for balancing medical resources.
Vic Di Criscio on psychoeducation and its related information:
- Patients suffering from severe mental illnesses are the most vulnerable population affected by COVID-19. The various factors which disproportionately disadvantage the mentally ill patients are less provision of physical health care, stigmatization, lifestyle factors, low income, and much more. Many studies revealed a negative psychological effect, which encompasses confusion, boredom, infection, fear, frustration, and financial loss stigma. It comes without saying that mentally ill people require extra support during trying times.
- Limited access to psychological treatment and reduced adherence can increase the risk of psychosis, agitation, mania, and severe depression. Agitated individuals are a burden on peers and caregivers and also their families. In ambulatory settings, density diffusion and physical distance measures become essential. Patients who tested positive with Covid-19 must be immediately notified and isolated while considering their mental health. Moreover, clinicians must proactively screen social isolation, suicidal fear, and economic uncertainty, which are risk factors for depressed individuals. On restricting personal contact, telemedicine is the only viable option available.
- The staff involved in treating patients with COVID-19 and severe mental illness must be well acquainted with protective clothing and face masks. It will help to protect the hospital staff and other patients from infection.
- For maintaining continuous outpatient treatment, mailing prescriptions to patience is a viable option. According to Vic Di Criscio, injectable antipsychotics are also a good option. That patient who received clozapine experienced a frequency of absolute neutrophil count. These relaxed monitoring requirements may also apply for cardiometabolic as well as lithium level monitoring. Patients need to receive regular medication and other treatment options related to a substance use disorder.
- Pharmacodynamics drugs interact with somatic and psychiatric medication. These drugs need temporary limitations while treating individuals with mental illness. The current protocol for treating individuals with COVID-19 encompasses antimalarial, antiviral, and antibiotic drugs.
Both cardiovascular and respiratory safety needs consideration while treating COVID-19 patients. The risk of pneumonia, cardiovascular complications, and other respiratory illnesses need ventilation assistance. It is the reason why drugs like loxapine get restricted for individuals suffering from a respiratory disorder.
Many healthcare systems and institutions have reduced their medical procedures to work from home as a result of COVID-19. The imbalance in medical treatment resulted in a disadvantage for people who have a mental illness. In this regard, psychopharmacological treatment options must consider the cardiovascular and respiratory effects of using certain drugs on the system. Proper medical treatment is required to help individuals deal with mental illness.