Psychosis: emerging calamity in UK as pandemic takes a toll on mental health

 

Since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Britain, the country is experiencing soar in number of psychosis cases being reported. Past two years have seen United Kingdom report surge in number of people reporting incidents of hallucinations and delusions due to increased stress on account of pandemic.

 Psychosis can present in form of seeing or hearing things that are not experienced by other people (hallucinations) and developing beliefs not based on reality (delusions). It can be a symptom of mental illness such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or severe depression, but psychosis can also be an isolated disorder triggered by a traumatic experience, extreme stress or drug and alcohol misuse.

 Latest data by the NHS shows that number of people seeking mental health services saw a 75 per cent increase since their first psychosis episode reported in April 2019 and April 2021. The rise further continued with 12,655 cases referred in July 2021, up 53% from 8,252 in July 2019. In this maximum number have been reported last year after the first lockdown was imposed across the country. In the analysis made by Rethink Mental Illness charity, over 13,000 referrals were made in May 2021, a 70% rise on the May before with 7,813 referrals.

 Keeping the statistics in mind and anticipating further deterioration of the condition, the charity has urged UK government to invest more in mental health of people to enable early intervention in psychosis. The data provides a strong indication of how the pandemic and associated lockdowns with restrictions have impacted mental health of British population.

 Rethink Mental Illness charity has stressed on importance of early intervention and access to mental health services to prevent further psychosis episodes, thereby reducing risk of developing severe mental illnesses in future. Brian Dow, the deputy chief executive of Rethink Mental Illness, said, “These soaring numbers of suspected first episodes of psychosis are cause for alarm. We are now well beyond the first profound shocks of this crisis, and it’s deeply concerning that the number of referrals remains so high. As first presentations of psychosis typically occur in young adults, this steep rise raises additional concerns about the pressures the younger generation have faced during the pandemic.”

 “The pandemic has had a game changing effect on our mental health and it requires a revolutionary response. Dedicated additional funding for mental health and social care must go to frontline services to help meet the new demand, otherwise thousands of people could bear a catastrophic cost.”