Bipolar disorder or manic-depressive illness is a mental disorder which consists of abnormal and long-lasting changes in a person’s mood, energy, and ability to function. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions precipitate the condition of those with bipolar affective disorder.

We searched for significant differences before and during the pandemic by analyzing socio-demographic data.

We carried out a research activity at the I Psychiatry Clinic of the Clinical Hospital of Neuropsychiatry Craiova. We formed two groups of hospitalized patients during 2019 and during 2020, when the pandemic broke out. The inclusion criterion was the presence of bipolar affective disorder as a primary diagnosis.

The number of cases and the total number of hospitalization days was higher during the pandemic, 101 cases versus 94 cases, 1667 days versus 1184 days. We identified a predominance of females during the pandemic, whereas in the previous year the distribution by sex was approximately equal. Regarding environment, the number of patients from urban and rural areas was approximately equal in 2019, while during the pandemic those in urban areas predominated, possibly due to easier access to psychiatric services. The ages of patients maintained a Gaussian distribution with a concentration of cases between 35-55 years.

While other psychiatric disorders were less present in the clinic during the pandemic, the number of bipolar affective disorder cases increased. Bipolar affective disorder is a major challenge due to the wide range of symptoms which cross with comorbidities that increase the likelihood of a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

No significant relationships.

The mental health care system in Ukraine is centralized and largely focuses on capacity for inpatient psychiatric treatment with 90% of funding allocated to inpatient psychiatric care at hospitals, much higher than countries who already have more decentralized care. Community-based mental health care options, including mental health provided at the primary health care level are currently limited or absent in the mental health system. Psychosocial support, as well as self-care and mental health promotion are also insufficiently developed. Covid-19 pandemic is serious challenge for health care system, especially for consultation liaison psychiatry.

Mental health monitoring and psychological support in University Clinic of Kharkiv National Medical University, Ukraine during COVID-19 epidemic.

HADS, SCL-90, HDRS, HARS

During COVID-19 epidemic, implemented combination of off-line and eye-to-eye methods of mental health monitoring and psychological counselling for patients and medical staff in University clinic of Kharkiv National Medical University. Model of early detection and management of mental disorders based on multidisciplinary teamwork principles, сombination of off-line and eye-to-eye methods of screening, monitoring and psychological counselling for patients and medical staff. The online format proved beneficial because many patients of University clinic have trust issues and preferred not to deal with psychiatric services locally when it comes to mental health problems and it was accessible on epidemic conditions. An important part of the outreach work by the project was to destigmatize mental health problems.

Combined model (off-line and eye-to-eye services) of mental health care is preferred compare to traditional approach in modern conditions.