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Abstract
Introduction. The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have changed into a global crisis.
Psychologically, this process of alteration can lead to feelings of fear, insecurity, and anxiety. This fear and
anxiety can be caused by a variety of factors. However, due to the lack of extensive studies at this time, there
are little data on these conditions related to COVID-19. Therefore, in this narrative review, we have tried to
identify the most important possible causes of anxiety and fear due to this disease, based on logical shreds
of evidence. Then we tried to discuss the consequences and ways to manage and prevent them.
Methods. The current focus was on three major axes of corona-phobia, fear and anxiety. PubMed, Science
Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar and authoritative news and information sources were considered as the
data sources.
Results. Findings from the analysis of the results revealed that, in addition to the real and the logical reasons
which belong to the intrinsic properties of SARS-CoV-2, some misleadings and misconceptions induced by
media, governmental policies, public awareness level, and non-scientific speculations and contradictory
data expressed by experts, researchers and scientific societies, could provide the way for the development
of corona-phobia, and fear.
Conclusions. Each of these causal components, in its place, leads to some degrees of psychological disorders
and subsequent consequences and complications. Finally, here we reviewed, summarized the previous research
findings on how to prevent and manage this type of psychological disorder, and made comparisons.
1
Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Fasa Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fasa, Iran
3
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4
Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, Iran
5
Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Fasa Branch, Islamic Azad University, Fasa, Iran
6
Student research committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
7
Medicine, Quran and Hadith Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
8
Behavioral sciences Research Center, Lifestyle institute, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
symptoms (16-18). People are anxious Since the beginning of 2020, more than 50
about being infected with the virus through drugs have been proposed by various research
people who have caught the disease but have groups around the world as potential drugs
no pathological symptoms (people in an for COVID-19 treatment (31); however,
incubation period). none of them has been identified as the first-
line treatment. On the other hand, despite
c) Intrinsic viral secrecy: extensive research to create a vaccine, only
Many of the ambiguities about COVID- a limited number of vaccines have been able
19 regarding its mortality risk factors, to obtain emergency use authorization, and
incubation period, viral shedding, and their use has been associated with serious
various symptoms have not been well- side effects. However large scale vaccine
clarified (15). Studies have shown that most production is only expected sometime in the
of patients often have symptoms, such as years to come (12). All of these conditions
fever, shortness of breath, and cough, and can logically create fear in the society.
some others have gastrointestinal symptoms,
such as diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, and Policies
abdominal pain (19-22). Policies on treatment restrictions for
Moreover, some researchers believe that patients with coronavirus have caused
gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with concern among people due to a relative
COVID-19 are highly infrequent, while the lack of medical resources. For example,
presence of gastrointestinal symptoms in according to a report in the Guardian (32),
COVID-19 patients is reported to be between guidelines have been developed to suggest
5 and 50% (23-25). These observations could ethical behaviours to hospitals so that if the
greatly increase the likelihood of different number of patients in need of equipment and
faces of the new coronavirus, which in turn ventilators exceeds the number of available
could lead to panic at different levels of devices, physicians will be driven to treat
society. Symptomatically, SARS-CoV-2 patients accordingly, which means to give
does not end here; it has been also reported priority to younger people and to those who
that 40% of patients lose their olfactory sense are more likely to survive (32).
(26). Joob et al. (27) in their study observed Another discussed policy is quarantine,
additional clinical manifestations including which has both positive and negative
rash, which can result in mistaking this consequences. Quarantine is often an
disease for Dengue fever. These additional undesirable experience for those who have to
symptoms are making the situation more live it. Separated from the family, loss of free
complicated. movements, uncertainty about one’s physical
condition, lack of sufficient information
d) Unknown origin
about illness, boredom, etc., will also cause
Lack of accurate information on SARS-
psychological problems, including phobia
CoV-2 animal hosts has become another
about the disease so that suicides have even
factor giving rise to the complexity of issue.
been reported during quarantine (33-35).
Scientific reports published so far include
hosts, such as bats (28), pangolins (29), cats
Knowledge and awareness
(11), and dogs (30). This uncertainty has
Another factor that causes fear of COVID-
exponentially increased the range of variables
19 is ignorance and lack of sufficient
and complicated problem-solving.
knowledge about this disease (36). On the
e) Lack of specific vaccines and other hand, a large amount of correct and
medications incorrect information about the disease
364 M. Heiat et al.
and the risk of contracting it are easily either change the course of public behaviors
available on the web; this can add to people’s or correct them. But if these views are
confusion (37), inducing lack of control contradictory, they can cause confusion and
over the situation, negative experiences, distress to human societies. This anxiety
exaggerated judgments about the disease manifests itself in multiple public behaviors.
risk. Fear of death and pain (2) can also cause For example, conflicting data about drugs
corona-phobia. to treat COVID-19, which are sometimes
People with a history of chronic illnesses, employed against each other can increase
such as cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, the anxiety in society. For example, there
and coronary heart disease have lower was general agreement that patients treated
levels of immunity than healthy people; so, with angiotensin-II inhibitors, angiotensin
COVID-19 has a more severe effect on them. receptor blockers (ARBs), or non-steroidal
These patients are aware of the higher risk anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had
they are exposed to and consequently they shown an increase in death-to-case rates.
experience more fear and stress (2), which But suddenly the FDA announced that
could be shared with their relatives. there was no scientific evidence supporting
Many people panic at the news of that COVID-19 symptoms worsens when
increasing lethality in patients, quarantine, NSAIDs are used (40). Although there is no
border closures, travel bans, disruptions evidence supporting the idea that vitamins D,
in the supply of goods and services, the C, and Zinc can help COVID-19 be treated or
rapid spread of the virus, and its possible reduce mortality in patients with COVID-19,
persistence in the environment. This feeling some researchers have insisted that taking
can induce devastating effects on the vitamins D, C, and Zinc can reduce the risk
global economy. On the other hand, every of death from COVID-19 (41) in the elderly
day disturbing news about the disease with a weaker immune system.
developments on media has led some people The use of the face mask is another
to believe that theories on virus spread are contradictory policy against COVID-19.
deliberate. These conditions and news could Wearing mask was common in Asian
in turn provide a nourishment for social countries, including South Korea, China,
media activities (38). and Japan (42), to fight influenza while there
Rumors have different forms. Some of were different opinions about who should
them are related to the conditions of the wear it. According to Feng et al. (42) some
disease and the ways in which the disease researchers believe that everyone should
is transmitted, a group of them are related wear a mask, while others believe that
to the methods of prevention and treatment, only people with COVID-19 symptoms in
and some others are related to the death rate. addition to treatment staff should use masks.
Other circulating rumors have also suggested Wong et al. (43) also stated that there is no
that pets could spread the coronavirus, which need for everyone to use mask. Only people
has concerned many pet owners to the extent with mild symptoms of COVID-19 should
that some of them even abandoned their use N95 face-mask. China, finally decided
animals on the streets (39). that masks are necessary for all people (42).
This uncertainty and lack of a common
Contradictory statements of medical autho- standard and comprehensive protocol can
rities and experts lead – and this happened - to the community
In the COVID-19 epidemic, which is misconduct. This, on the one hand, could
a new disease with unknown dimensions, result in the basic health measures to be
the opinions provided by researchers can neglected; on the other hand, it can intensify
Fear of COVID-19 365
obsession and anxiety among people in every of people had moderate to severe symptoms
community. of depression and 28.8% suffered from
In addition, such confusion could lead to moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety.
shortage of mask supply for the healthcare Brooks et al. reported that the stigmas in the
system because of being excessively health staff who has been quarantined during
consumed by the population (44). SARS and Ebola outbreak were significantly
higher than the stigmas of the ones who had
not been quarantined even if some of them
Complications of anxiety of COVID-19 lost their jobs (47).
The resulting complications by quarantine
Globally the rapid spread of coronavirus should not be ignored. Financial damages
and its high mortality rate have caused can also cause problems during quarantine
great concern and anxiety throughout because people are unable to work and have
the world and increased and exacerbated to stop their professional activities without
mental disorders. In a study performed by previous warning. The consequences of
Asmundson et al. (7) it was reported that these damages and financial instabilities
one-third of Canadian citizens were highly seem to be persistent and can subsequently
concerned about COVID-19 and 7% of them cause anxiety, stress, and anger for months
had drastic concerns. This has led them to after quarantine (48, 49).
adopt exaggerated hygienic behaviors. In However, the people who used to be
another study, it was reported that 33% of quarantined due to a suspected infection with
Canadian citizens did not trust the ability of Ebola received a compensation, but many
Canadian health administration to control of them believed that the compensation was
the disease. Another study in the US (45) not enough and consequently they were
showed that 66% of people believed that not satisfied. Many of them had to rely on
COVID-19 is a serious threat. 56% was their families to survive, which was usually
deeply concerned about this disease and unacceptable for them (50). This fear of
26% believed that the American government financial damages and the feeling of being
does not take necessary actions to control unable to financially support spouse and sons
the epidemic. Ren et al. (9) further reported can cause a phobia. The presence of fears and
that the COVID-19 epidemic has caused anxieties in such situations is normal to some
great fear in people who had blamed the extent. But if the stress response is activated
infected subjects for spreading the disease. in people and they are unable to control it,
Moreover, the consequential phobia has they will be prone to diseases. Remaining in
led many people across the word to blame emergency situations for extended periods is
Wuhan citizens to a point that some countries not bearable for any living organisms. Stress
called “Chinese virus” or “Wuhan virus” the hormones imbalance the genes order and
SARS-Cov-2 (9). Additionally, in a study cause disease. The brain cortex size triggers
conducted by Lima et al. in Brazil (46), the stressful reactions after overthinking about
public quarantine was considered as the the problems. In fact, thoughts can heal a
major cause for dread and mental disorders. person or make him sick (51).
In addition, the elderly with previous mental Apart from the common and tangible
weakness showed more intensive symptoms effects of anxiety, several physiological
and needed strong interventions. Similarly, disorders are also likely during anxiety-
Wang et al. declared that 53.8% of people producing situations. Scientific studies have
had considered the mental impacts of this also shown an association between stress
epidemic from moderate to severe (8): 16.5% and resistance to infection. Humans with
366 M. Heiat et al.
a high-stress index have appeared to be about how to prevent the disease spread. In
prone to cold viruses, the molecular basis this study, parameters such as low mortality
of which includes the altered function of T rates, being non-fatal to kids, and proper
lymphocytes and cells of the hypothalamic- hygiene behavior, were considered as useful
pituitary-adrenal axis as well as changes in information to fight the negative outlook
the production of cytokines and hormones of people about the disease, but had to be
by the immune system and brain (52). provided by official sources (54).
Furthermore, in China another study
conducted by Zhong et al. (55), in which
How to know, prevent and manage the the KAP (knowledge-attitude-practice)
corona Phobia model was employed, revealed that the
majority of people had enough information
Becoming aware and informed about COVID-19 and how to prevent it
Using comprehensive surveys and (accurate answers over 90%), almost all the
epidemiological studies with different participants (97.1%) were sure about the
parameters in different fields and extensive ability of China in controlling the disease.
psychological evaluations, the true spread Almost everyone used a mask before going
rate of anxiety, stigmas, awareness and out. Also, it was found that socioeconomic
outlook, behavior of the society, and factors and being female had a direct
generally the public mental healthcare relationship with awareness, optimism, and
about COVID-19 can be obtained (53). By proper behavior about the disease. Ren et al
relying on the obtained scientific knowledge, (9) also described in their study that public
general policies could be determined and awareness and enough information about
the mental conditions of the society could the disease can reduce the public fear and
be managed. To gain sufficient knowledge anxiety.
by the public and the healthcare staff about
the epidemic is essential. It can reduce both Following anxiety management techniques
the anxiety and fear and provide better The first and the most effective action
control over the situation. Studies have to be taken in controlling fear is following
revealed that the public’s knowledge and the proper source of information because
their outlook about this disease are very this can keep people away from rumor and
limited. Although small groups of people show them a clear picture of the current
have been explored, they still acknowledged situation.
the fact that increasing public awareness The WHO has also provided useful
and knowledge is better for controlling the recommendations to manage and control
disease and its consequences. the anxiety caused by this disease. Having
For instance, Geldsetzer et al. (44) reported a positive and realistic view of the events,
that people’s behavior is critical to control acquiring the necessary data through
the disease and their behavior is influenced the approved centers, doing mindfulness
by their awareness, knowledge, and outlook exercises, relaxing the mind (yoga and
about the situation. In Geldsetzer’s et al. meditation), choosing a healthy lifestyle,
study, which was performed on groups having physical activity and exercise,
of American and British people, it was including exercise at home or walking
revealed that people’s knowledge about in a secluded path away from the crowd,
contagiousness and symptoms of virus is avoiding over-examining social media and
at an acceptable level. Still, there is a great following disturbing news, and eventually
deal of wrong information on social media consulting with a counselor or psychologist
Fear of COVID-19 367
for professional help are the most important of media, it will be practical to moderate
advices. and control society’s psychological
conditions and conquer corona-born anxiety.
Expert opinion Furthermore, due to the serious health threat
The SARS-CoV-2 virus as the cause posed by this disease and the importance
of COVID-19 disease is a multifaceted of public consciousness of preventive
agent affecting many aspects of the human actions, strategies that disseminate accurate
community, including health system, information are needed to limit the power
economics, society, politics, environment, of disease. Such approaches surely are
and even the culture of nations. It has further reachable through health promotion and
disturbed the hegemony of the world and training programs in the context of reputable
led experts to focus their knowledge on databases (56). This study tried to explore
its control. All functional dimensions of and present the terrible political, economic,
COVID-19 crisis can be considered as new social, and individual consequences of
emerging events and difference from its such anxiety in addition to introducing its
ancestors. This can lead to irrational and rational and irrational sources. Indeed, the
unpredictable behaviors in human societies. researchers quoted in this study tried, to the
Some parts of these irrational behaviors are best of their possibilities, to pave the way for
due to low level of knowledge, phobia, and overcoming the scary situations cause by the
anxiety rooted in the unknown nature of this COVID-19 disease.
pathogen. Although, at the beginning of the
present study, we came up with the same
Acknowledgements:
brilliant idea (an original or a systematic
Thanks to guidance and advice from Clinical
review study), after deep studies and a Research Development Unit of Baqiyatallah
comprehensive literature review, it became Hospital, Tehran, Iran.
clear that no valuable and citable studies National Research Ethics Committee Code:
have been so far done in this field. Therefore, IR.BMSU.REC.1399.160
at a specialized meeting, we presented the URL: https://ethics.research.ac.ir/
most important and fundamental issues of Funding: None.
the corona-phobia in the form of a narrative Conflicts of Interest: None
review study. It is also noteworthy that
every topic discussed in this article can be
considered as source of an original study in Riassunto
a form of a mega-survey research project. Fobia e paura del COVID-19: origini, complicanze
e gestione: una revisione narrativa
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Corresponding author: Reza Ranjbar, Molecular Biology Research Center, Systems Biology and Poisonings Institute,
Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
e-mail: ranjbarre@gmail.com