COVID-19 pandemic has not permanently increased the anxiety of the French

Confinements and fire covers, restrictions on travel and activities, closed schools and employees asked to telework, with all the social and financial consequences that have arisen … Moreover, In France as everywhere in the world. However, the Pandemic of Covid-19 spared no one, even those who have never been sick. Similarly, Among other consequences: a significant increase in anxious. In addition, depressive disorders, by more than 25 % in 2020 during the first year of the pandemic according to a study on more than 200 countries published in October 2021 in The Lancet. Consequently, In France, the increase in depressive episodes continued: +3.5 points compared to 2017 in all adults under the age of 75. However, covid-19 pandemic not permanently increased and +9 points in 18-24 year olds, according to the France of Public Health France (SPF). Consequently, But has the increase in anxiety levels also continued its race?

This is what researchers from SPF and Hospital in Henri-Mondor, in Créteil (AP-HP), wanted to investigate. However, To do this. In addition, they looked at data from the same barometer and compared that on anxiety disorders collected in 2021 with 4,829 people aged 18 to 85, and in 2017 with 6,413 people aged 18 to 75.

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Results: In 2021, 12.5% of those questioned presented an anxious state during the survey. In addition, Women were three times more affected than men (18.2% against 6.4%), possibly because they are more exposed to stressors (family constraints, financial difficulties, violence …) and men are less inclined to express their emotions. Additionally, In addition, 25-64 year olds were twice as anxious as their covid-19 pandemic not permanently increased elders (15% versus 7%). As for young adults (18-24 years old), there were 11.3% suffering from anxiety, again women more than men.

Stable trends

The surprise carried by these results is that. a year after the start of the pandemic, the trends were stable compared to before, and even regressed in 65-75 year olds (11.6 % in 2017 against 7 % in 2021), even if the authors recognize that the chosen questionnaire could undervaluate anxiety in this age group. “However. we have the impression of seeing more cases of anxietyis surprised Professor Antoine Pelissolo, head of the psychiatry department at Henri-Mondor Hospital (Créteil). People with severe symptoms may be a little more numerous. but not enough for it to appear in the general population. »» Financial difficulties. a low level of education, and the presence of suicidal depression or thoughts were the main factors associated with anxiety.

covid-19 pandemic not permanently increased

In the general population. the surveys carried out by SPF during the pandemic had shown well “Significant increases related to epidemic dynamics and control measures”. Thus. the Coviprev survey “Estimated at 27 % the prevalence of anxiety states in March 2020, then a decrease thereof with the end of the first confinement (approximately 16 % between May and June 2020)”write the authors. But contrary to the impact of depression, these increases “Could be transient”as shown by several other studies. “When you start a depression, it lasts several months, even several years”explains Antoine Pelissolo. Anxiety is more reactionary. linked to the context, “It is a projection in the future, and at the start of the pandemic, there were questions that generated a lot of anxiety, about the risk of dying, the consequences of confinements on social and professional life, etc …”

An increase in anxiety much older than covid-19 pandemic not permanently increased the covid

The prevalence of anxious disorders estimated in the Coviprev survey could also be overestimated. add the authors, because of a difference in the selection of those questioned. And in fact. advanced figures on barometer data “Are consistent with those obtained the same year in other representative surveys conducted internationally, notably in the United States (11.4%) 21, Germany (13.4%) 22 or Spain (11.8%)”.

The rise in these disorders (which brings together several forms. in particular generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, agoraphobia, separation anxiety and phobias) is actually much older than COVID-19: between 1990 and 2019, “Their incidence has increased by almost 50 %”write the authors of the Beh. “But attentionMet en garde Antoine Pelissololo: The 2017 and 2021 studies were done with the same questionnaires. The comparison over a longer time is difficult because we have changed a lot of assessment tools. definition of pathologies, etc. covid-19 pandemic not permanently increased »» Difficult therefore to judge whether society is more anxiety -provoking than it was, or if people adapt to it less. “I rather lean for this second explanationslides the psychiatrist, Because life was not particularly easier before. People also tend to admit more easily than it is not well. »»

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The fact remains that the figures of the SPF barometer testify “A high prevalence [de l’anxiété] within the general population. with marked social inequalities ” et “The existence of strong comorbidity with characterized depressive episodes and suicidal thoughts”insist the authors of the Beh. “It’s a real public health problemInsiste Antoine Pelissololo. We are talking about people who suffer and who need care. In the absence of care. this can give rise to work stoppages, to make products such as benzodiazepines without medical control, to the consumption of tobacco or alcohol … “ What. argue the authors of covid-19 pandemic not permanently increased the Beh, encourage “Facilitate access to the whole population, and especially the most disadvantaged”better information to prevent and support anxious disorders.