How Lived Experiences of COVID-19 Shape MentalHealth: A Case Series of COVID-19 Patients fromWuhan, China

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severely impacts physical and mental health ofCOVID-19 patients. This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 patient narratives to revealhow their lived experiences of COVID-19 infection and quarantine shape their mentalhealth. In-depth semi-structural interviews were conducted with 5 COVID-19 patientsfrom Wuhan to elicit their lived experiences of COVID-19. The case reports showed thatpersons diagnosed with COVID-19 infection and admitted to the COVID ward developedthe symptoms of anxiety, worry, low mood, frustration, irritability, stigma, distress, guilt,and loneliness. Lack of scientific information, long-term social isolation, and limited socialsupport were the main risk factors leading to their mental health problems. The study sug gests that timely diagnosis of patients’ mental health problems and diverse psychologicalinterventions are needed before, during, and after their hospitalization