The lack of data in the literature does not allow us to conclude whether a covid-19 pandemic was the motto for the onset of severe mental illnesses, but it is expected that many patients have seen “their states of disturbance worsen because they have greater difficulty access to consultations, “said, in a statement to Lusa, Miguel Ricou.

In addition to the inaccessibility and lack of follow-up, the professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP) and the CINTESIS researcher believe that the diagnosis “was not facilitated” by the successive confinements caused by the pandemic.

“Apart from that, we have not found clear links between the pandemic and these pathologies”, he said, noting, however, that the “numbers” are the great difficulty of mental health services.

“There is great difficulty in reporting and, therefore, we have little recognized data,” he said.

Although the correlation between the pandemic and serious mental pathologies, such as schizophrenia and dementia, is not possible, it is due to other illnesses such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, obsessive-compulsive and addictive behavior.

“We are facing a tsunami in mental health. I have doubts about that and I am very afraid of the answer,” said the expert.