Abstract
Objectives: Given the high prevalence of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), this study assessed its negative impact on mental health in older adults.
Design: Narrative review.
Settings: Global.
Outcome measures: Post COVID psychiatric conditions.
Results: Mental disorders could emerge as neuro-psychiatric consequences of COVID-19 as the result of brain damage or even as the direct symptoms of virus attack to the central nervous system (CNS) or as the consequences of immune response/drug drawbacks. It was found that older individuals may experience psychiatric disorders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Common psychological symptoms observed in COVID-19 patients were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, delirium, sleep disturbances, and depression. On the other hand, these mental health symptoms could also signal the initial phases of COVID-19 in elderly individuals.
Conclusions: It is essential to remain vigilant in recognizing psychiatric conditions as either clinical manifestations of COVID-19 or complications resulting from the infection.