PSYCHOTIC DEPRESSION IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS DURING THE COVID-19 HEALTHCARE CRISIS: A CASE SERIES

Abstract

Introduction. After the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic, new waves have occurred that have chronicled the epidemiological situation. This could especially affect the Mental Health of healthcare professionals with the appearance of serious conditions such as psychotic depression. The objective of this article is to describe a series of cases of psychotic depression in health professionals during the chronic phase of the sanitary crisis.

Methods. We report three cases that involve three healthcare professional patients with psychotic depression treated at Santa María University Hospital (Lérida, Spain) from the end of the first alarm state (June 2020) to the end of the second alarm state (May 2021) in Spain.

Results. The three cases share the appearance of depressive symptoms accompanied by psychotic symptoms months after the acute phase of the pandemic. All of them were health professionals and belonged to the epidemiological groups at highest risk. None of the patients presented symptoms compatible with the infection, although one patient tested positive for COVID-19. All of them required hospital admission and were treated with the combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic with a good response.

Conclusions. The chronic phase of the health crisis due to COVID-19 has important consequences on the Mental Health of healthcare professionals due to the appearance of serious conditions such as psychotic depression. It is necessary to carry out specific monitoring of this population at risk to prevent the appearance of serious symptoms and to initiate treatment in the initial phases.