People with existing mood disorders — particularly those with depression or bipolar disorder — reported a significant decline in their mental health during Covid-19 lockdowns.
As part of a study of nearly 1000 people from six countries, University of Otago (Christchurch) psychological medicine head and researcher Richard Porter studied about 500 people from New Zealand and found 40% of them reported experiencing moderate to severe mental health issues during New Zealand’s first lockdown in 2020.
Participants reported the worst causes of Covid-19 disruption were an inability to go to work, forced isolation at home, not being able to socialise as normal, and struggling to maintain their usual eating and sleeping patterns, Prof Porter said.
These factors negatively affected mental health determinants such as their general mood, outlook on life, positivity and irritability levels.
"Although we expected to see disruption from changes in circadian rhythm negatively affecting mood in these participants, we were surprised how severe their self-reported symptoms were.
"Our results show there is a definitive link between Covid-related disruption to circadian rhythms and worsening mental health in those with existing mood disorders.
"These results also show it’s important we recognise the vulnerability of those with mood disorders when faced with disruptive situations such as Covid-19, earthquakes or other major upheavals in their lives, and consider doing more to help them maintain their mood and mental health.
"With experts now predicting Covid-19 could be with us for the next five years, including the potential prospect of future lockdowns, more emphasis is needed from a public health standpoint to help people with mood disorders better regulate their circadian rhythms and maintain good mental health."
Practical responses — such as giving those most at risk the tips, tools and strategies to allow them to better support their circadian rhythms and mental health — should be a priority for health professionals delivering their care, he said.
