Adolescent psychiatric disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown

Abstract:
The purpose of this model is to conduct a literature review on teenage psychiatric illnesses
associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. Stressful life events, prolonged home
confinement, severe grieving, intra familial violence, and excessive use of the Internet and social
media are all issues that might have an impact on adolescents' mental health during this time.
Increased psychiatric diseases, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depressive, and Anxiety
Disorders, as well as grief-related symptoms, could be a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adolescents with psychiatric disorders may experience heightened symptoms as a result of a
break or change in their treatment and management. The COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown
may have a harmful influence on teenage mental health, while there is yet little research on the
crisis' long-term effects. Individual, familial, and social vulnerability of adolescents, as well as
individual and familial coping capacity, are all elements that affect adolescent mental health in
times of crisis. Adolescents are often susceptible, and caregivers and healthcare systems must
take special care to ensure that mental health services are available despite the lockdown. In
times of pandemics, research on adolescent psychiatric problems is essential, as a global scenario
could be extended or repeated.

1. Introduction:
Since December 2019, an outbreak of a novel coronavirus disease has spread from Wuhan,
China, to every continent, becoming a pandemic. By the first days of June 2020, the COVID-19
outbreak had killed over 383,000 people around the world. Adolescents are a sensitive
population that is going through a difficult adjustment. The COVID-19 outbreak and lock-down
may have a variety of effects on adolescents' lives, including chronic and acute stress, concern
for their families, unexpected bereavements, sudden school closures, and home confinement in
many countries, increased time spent on the internet and social media, and concern for their
family's and country's economic future. Social relationships are broken. Individuals are opting to
stay at home. Masks are becoming increasingly popular in some nations where people are not
accustomed to them, and people can no longer see one other's facial expressions. Individuals are
experiencing psychological effects as a result of the COVID-19 epidemic. Lockdown may result
in a sudden pause or shift in care for teenagers with psychiatric illnesses. What effect has the
COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown had on adolescent mental illness? Is there a higher chance of
getting or worsening psychiatric problems as a result of this situation?
During the time this article is being published, the COVID-19 epidemic and lockdown are still
ongoing. Furthermore, because of the severity of the crisis and the background of social
interaction transformations associated to the shutdown, as well as the digital revolution, this

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situation is unprecedented. In the context of epidemics or pandemics, there is limited literature
on teenage mental health. We included papers that provided detailed information on psychiatric
illnesses during COVID-19 pandemics, epidemics, and disasters, with an emphasis on teenagers
whenever available. The idea of increased adolescent addiction disorders as a result of disasters
has also been addressed, but there is little literature on the subject. Some writers argue that
adolescents are more likely to participate in risk-behaviors such as drug addiction and sexual
interactions as coping mechanisms for traumatic stress.

2. Variables:

INDEPENDEN DEPENDENT MEDIATING MODERATING RELATIONSHIP

T VARIABLE VARIABLE VARIABLE VARIABLE BETWEEN
VARIABLE
Covid 19
ADHD CD (Conduct Age, gender Linear
(impact on disorder) relationship
mental health)
Adolescent
COVID-19 Anxiety, Stress Influential
psychiatric Depression
disorders

Loss of poor
COVID-19 Job termination Covariant
household productivity
income 

More Creativity
COVID-19 Hyper focused More original Covariant
ideas

3. Impact of Lockdown on psychologic health:

Individuals' psychological health is negatively affected by quarantine, which might include post-
traumatic stress symptoms, bewilderment, and hostility. Intervals without school are related with
lower physical activity, greater screen time, inconsistent sleep patterns, and less adequate diets
among children and adolescents. Isolation may have an impact on the emergence of psychiatric
disorders throughout adolescence due to reciprocal connections between brain growth and social
environment. Adolescents are going through a new time of uncertainty, with concerns about their
relatives' health and work, the ever-present topic of mortality, unexpected separation from
friends, and school disruption. For some teenagers, being placed in lockdown is unbearable.
They must withdraw at home, although excessive social withdrawal is considered a mental
indication in normal times. Even at the neurofunctional level, acute isolation may elicit social

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seeking, with neural desiring responses akin to hunger. While children's regressive behaviour and
externalised symptoms can be seen in times of crisis, adolescents' indications of psychological
distress may be more subtle: sleep disorders, peer troubles, isolation, and depression.
Furthermore, while schools have closed all across the world, school routines are vital coping
tools for children. Furthermore, while many schools have closed around the world, school habits
are still crucial. coping techniques for young people suffering from mental illness.

4. Suicidality:
Although epidemics have been associated to higher suicide rates, no data on youth suicidality
has been discovered during epidemics. Adolescent suicidality is linked to stressful life
experiences. According to preliminary data from a US study, there may be a link between many
COVID-19-related encounters and suicidal ideation and attempts in adults in the previous month.
After Hurricane Andrew, a longitudinal research of 4978 teenagers found that being female, low
socioeconomic status, pre- and post-hurricane sadness, high stress scores, low family support,
and pre-hurricane suicidal ideation all had an impact on post-hurricane suicidal ideation. There
are forecasts of increased suicidality in Canada as a result of COVID-19's indirect effects, but
these projections do not apply to adolescents.

5. Internet, social media, access to information:

The COVID-19 epidemic is unfolding in a new social and technological context: social media,
the internet, and information access have never been more sophisticated, simple, or immediate.
During the lockdown, social media could play an even bigger role. They allow for interaction
and communication, as well as learning opportunities, such as adolescent access to health
information. Using social media during lockdown could be a beneficial feature in allowing
teenagers to continue social engagement. Social media, on the other hand, has been linked to
adversity. Several aspects connected to internet addiction have come together during this
moment of pandemic and shutdown. Excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, impulses, or
behaviours related to computer use and internet access that cause impairment or suffering are
referred to as internet addiction. Studies reveal that stressful and traumatic situations can
influence internet addiction, according to explanatory theories of internet addiction. Online
games and social media apps are thought to be linked to internet addiction. Addiction to the
internet has also been linked to depression. Furthermore, social media provides a wealth of
information to adolescents, which is sometimes more direct and less contextualised than
traditional media. Many adolescents are keeping an eye on the news during the COVID-19
outbreak. They do not, however, have the same talents as adults because their brains are still
maturing towards adulthood. They get real-time access to films, images, and reports on all

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current subjects and related debates. Adult supervision would be required to develop analytical
skills with this data.

6: Adolescents with psychiatric disorders facing the COVID-19 outbreak:

The fear of illness, as well as the repercussions of a strict lockdown, may exacerbate the
symptoms of some people with psychiatric problems. Adolescents with mental health issues may
have a harder time tolerating a confinement. The continued care of patients with psychiatric
problems is a source of concern. Disruption of psychological and/or institutional care could be an
important detrimental factor among the specific results for this population. According to a poll of
2111 adolescents in the UK with a mental health history, 83 percent agreed that the pandemic
had worsened their mental health, and 26% stated they were no longer able to obtain mental
health support. Adolescents with a history of depression are more likely to have long-term
psychological distress following the death of a parent. Adolescents with ADHD (Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) may have a harder time adjusting to lockdown (Cortese et al.,
2020). They may experience additional behavioural issues. Parent-focused ADHD therapies and
mental-health interventions should be implemented, and the risks and benefits of drugs should be
carefully assessed in the COVID-19 situation.

7: Economic crisis:
The COVID-19 epidemic is also causing a financial meltdown. Despite the fact that data on
adults is available, there is limited information on teenage psychiatric illnesses during economic
downturns. Adults have been linked to an upsurge in suicides, sadness, anxiety, and addiction
problems during times of economic distress. Surprisingly, several investigators found that
income loss was the strongest predictor of the development of psychological disorders during the
recovery period following the 2003 SARS pandemic in Beijing, China. According to several
academics, during Greece's economic crisis, adolescents reported greater family conflicts and
disputes, as well as worse life satisfaction.

8: Psychosocial interventions:
Adolescents can benefit from psychosocial interventions following traumatic occurrences. After
man-made and natural disasters, a 2017 meta-analysis found that cognitive-behavioral therapy,
eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), narrative exposure treatment for
children, and classroom-based interventions are all equally recommended for adolescents.
Beyond the immediate effects on mental health, one can consider the long-term effects of the
pandemic on teenagers' psychological development, as they grow up in a world where society
and the economic model are dramatically altered in order to combat the virus and protect the
population.

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9: conclusion:
Adolescents are vulnerable, and caregivers and healthcare system modifications to provide for
mental health support despite the lockdown must be carefully considered. Increased
psychological diseases, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, and Anxiety
Disorders, as well as grief-related symptoms, could be a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is a link between home confinement and an increase in intrafamilial violence. It's
important to investigate the link between lockdown and the repercussions of excessive usage of
the internet and social media. Individual, familial, and social vulnerability of adolescents, as well
as individual and familial coping capacity, are all elements that influence adolescent mental
health.
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