A preliminary study of post-traumatic stress symptoms of two confirmed and six suspected Coronavirus disease 2019 patients

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the psychological status and interventions in confirmed and suspected Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Methods The data of 2 confirmed cases and 6 suspected cases of COVID-19 were collected through the Internet. Demographic data of the patients were collected by self-designed self-assessment general situation questionnaire. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were assessed by post-traumatic stress disorder checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Sleep quality was evaluated by Pittsburgh sleep quality index. Results There were 5 females and 3 males aged from 17 to 71 years old. The education level was junior college, bachelor degree and above in 7 patients, and senior high school or below in one patient. Five cases had the contact history with Wuhan residents. The screening result of post-traumatic stress symptom was positive in one confirmed case and one suspected case. Invasive symptoms presented in 5 cases. The epidemic affected the sleep quality of 8 patients in different degrees, mainly manifested as sleep fitfully at night or early morning awakening (5 cases). The total score of PCL-5 was consistent with the change trend of sleep quality. The higher the total score of PCL-5, and the worse the sleep quality. Conclusion Confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients have sleep disorders (sleep fitfully at night or early morning awakening) and psychological trauma (invasive symptoms), and they need timely and effective psychological interventions.