Levels of anxiety and depression were at their highest in the early stages of the March COVID-19 lockdown in England but improved fairly rapidly following the introduction of restrictions, according to a new study published in Lancet Psychiatry.
In this prospective longitudinal observational study, researchers analysed data from 36,520 participants of the University College London COVID-19 Social Study, a panel study weighted to population proportions, which collects information weekly on anxiety (using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder [GAD] assessment) and depressive symptoms (using the Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ]) in the UK.
In the first week of lockdown in March, 48 per cent of the cohort had no/minimal depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 questionnaire, score 0-4), 27 per cent had mild symptoms (score 5-9), 13 per cent had moderate symptoms (score 10-14), 8 per cent had moderately severe symptoms (score 15-19) and 5 per cent had severe symptoms (score 20-27).
For anxiety, 53 per cent had no symptoms (GAD-7 anxiety scale, score 0-4), 24 per cent had mild symptoms (score 5-9), 12 per cent had moderate symptoms (score 10-14) and 10 per cent had severe symptoms (score 15-21).
Anxiety and depression levels both declined across the first 20 weeks following the introduction of lockdown in England (b=–1.93; SE=0.26; P<.0001 for anxiety; b=–2.52; SE=0.28; P<.0001 for depressive symptoms).
The fastest decreases were seen across the strict lockdown period (between weeks 2 and 5), with symptoms plateauing as further lockdown easing measures were introduced (between weeks 16 and 20).
Being a woman or younger, having lower educational attainment, lower income or pre-existing mental health conditions and living alone or with children were risk factors for higher levels of anxiety and depression at the start of lockdown. Many of these inequalities in experiences were reduced as lockdown continued, but differences were still evident 20 weeks after the start of lockdown.
The findings emphasise the importance of supporting individuals in the lead-up to future lockdowns to try to reduce distress, the authors said.
