the impact of COVID -19 on the psychological health of society and the role of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor and possible interventions.

 

Covid-19 has changed habits and lifestyles, contributing to behaviours that are potentially harmful to mental and physical health.

Recent studies on Covid-19 have shown that stress and lack of meaningful interpersonal relationships have made it increasingly common to diagnose sleep disorders, mood declines, apathy, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and personality disorders.

It is now known that COVID-19 has profoundly altered habits and lifestyles, contributing to behaviours that can be harmful to psychophysical health. In addition, the lockdown imposed a long experience of social isolation that left individuals defenceless in the face of intense media bombardment about the coronavirus' progress, the fear of losing one's job, of falling ill and not being able to receive adequate care or treatment, and the trauma of an unexpected diagnosis or bereavement.

 

In this regard, recent studies (Kwong & al, 2020 and Tacquet & al, 2020) have shown that exposure to high stress and a psychological condition characterised by a lack of meaningful interpersonal relationships have made it increasingly common to be diagnosed with sleep disorders, mood declines, apathy, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and personality disorders (Nenov-Matt & al, 2020). The elderly in particular represent the social group in which the virus has claimed the greatest number of victims and has abruptly interrupted active habits (sewing, embroidery, artistic activities, reading), social relationships and physical activity (Di Santo & al, 2020). This situational picture, combined with increased loneliness, can increase the risk of cognitive decline and over time dementia by 40% (Sutin & al., 2018). This may find a possible explanation (Buchman & al, 2016) in the reduction in the values of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin that contributes significantly to the survival and production of neurons as well as the activation of neuroplasticity processes. Indeed, it has been observed (Notaras & van den Buuse, 2020) that this neurotrophin is directly involved in physiological adaptation processes (resilience) to stressful events and that a reduction in BDNF levels, in addition to slowing synaptogenesis and neurogenesis, is the common denominator of many diseases and disorders (including anxiety, depression and cognitive decline) that are characterised by abnormalities in cognitive processes and emotion processing due to malfunctioning of the brain areas responsible for their regulation (Price & Duman, 2020). It is therefore very important to devise psycho-educational interventions to raise awareness of the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle (including motor activity and an adequate diet), to be curious, to cultivate interests, passions and hobbies that facilitate social inclusion. It is also useful to try to strengthen family resilience by promoting active listening and mutual support among family members as well as developing an adequate capacity to manage stress and emotions, including through the use of mindfulness and bioenergetic exercises.

It is also necessary to take note of the fact that the pandemic has strongly proposed the need to integrate psychological support into the citizen's basic care and at the same time to facilitate access to these services of public utility. Lastly, it is essential to develop a common conscience to break down prejudices and make recourse to a psychologist normal in times of difficulty.

The italian version is available at this link