30% drop in suicidal thoughts since lockdown

Anxiety on the increase but depression decreasing: the coronavirus effect is unique in our time

- Reduction in depressive symptoms while experiencing higher anxiety is a newly observed UK Covid-19 therapy trend

- Decrease in depression seen as patients benefit from ‘collective camaraderie’ effect as fundraising, clapping for carers and community kindness brings people together

- Calm before the storm as surge in depression and anxiety is forewarned

Suicidal thoughts have seen a sustained reduction of up to 30% in patient assessment scores on referral to adult psychological therapies. The trend coincides with the start of lockdown.

Ieso has been tracking patient psychological trends in relation to the coronavirus since the beginning of the year. The decrease in suicidal thoughts accompanies a 10% drop in other symptoms of depression such as tiredness, lack of energy and low self-esteem. This is despite symptoms of anxiety increasing.

We have seen a sustained drop in depression in new patients since the UK Government closed schools and requested the UK public work from home if possible. One explanation for this trend is that the reduction in certain depressive symptoms is being caused by a “camaraderie effect”, often seen when individuals feel a part of collective community, supporting each other to stop the spread of the virus and fundraising for the NHS.

Dr. Ana Catarino, principal scientist at Ieso Digital Health said:

“Depression and anxiety symptoms often go hand in hand. The contrast we’re seeing at the moment is a first for recorded UK therapy trends. Despite the global crisis and the obvious restrictions and issues we are facing as a society, patients are feeling more positive, even though they’re nervous about the future.”

In the past, studies have shown that camaraderie can positively affect your mental health. Largescale sporting events such as the Olympics or a World Cup come with a sense of belonging and broad social integrations rarely experienced by individuals.

However, experts at the company say current levels of referrals are alarmingly low for a crisis of this scale and an unprecedented surge of new cases is imminent. Before the pandemic, the UK mental health system was already struggling to reach its target of treating 25% of the one in four adults who usually suffer from mental health issues.

Dr Catarino added: “The 30% drop in suicidal thoughts is significant but likely only temporary as we are expecting to see a dramatic reversal when the situation normalises. We’ve seen in history that recessions correspond with an increase suicide rates. In the last few weeks we have seen a pattern emerging around difficulties with sleep, either sleeping too little or too much, both of which can be early signs of depression. This may be related to lockdown restrictions easing, yet life failing to go back to normal, which may be key to recovery.

Locals and restaurants pull together to feed front line NHS workers in Hertfordshire. (c) RMC Photography.

Dr Catarino concluded: “In contrast to many traumatic experiences, the coronavirus pandemic is not a discrete point in time, but something that is prolonged over several months with no end in sight. This is likely to cause trauma exposure at a global scale at various levels.”

These findings are a result of a preliminary analysis of the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on therapy data collected by Ieso Digital Health anonymised from over 8,000 patients this year. We will continue to monitor and explore this data in more detail during the next stages of this crisis, including investigating the impact of Covid-19 on other variables, such as changes in average required treatment duration and changes in clinical outcomes including recovery rates.