Impacto da covid-19 na saúde mental de crianças com transtornos mentais e a sobrecarga de cuidadores

Abstract

The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus has brought significant changes to children's daily lives. Given its vulnerability, this population is very susceptible to the socioeconomic and psychological repercussions caused by the current context. Parents and/or guardians become the main agents of care, and changes in everyone's daily lives were necessary to adapt to the demands of children with mental disorders. Objective: To analyze and understand the social and psychological impacts of COVID-19 on the lives of children diagnosed with Mental Disorders and the burden on caregivers. Method: This is a cross-sectional study with a descriptive design, quantitative approach, carried out with 50 children aged 4 to 12 years who are undergoing psychiatric follow-up at a specialty outpatient clinic in the interior of the state of São Paulo. A questionnaire developed by the researchers was used to characterize the participants in terms of demographic and clinical aspects and a scale adapted from Zarit and Zarit (1987) to assess the burden of caregivers of children with mental disorders. Results: The sample consisted mostly of male participants (80%), aged between 8 and 12 years (86%). Fifteen (18.75%) children had the diagnostic hypothesis of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Twenty (24.41%) children used Risperidone. 70% of the children had their multidisciplinary care suspended, and 66% showed worsening of their symptoms. When asked about changes in family relationships, 44% responded by worsening relationships. The sample of caregivers consisted mostly of mothers, 94%. When investigating aspects related to overload in the context of a pandemic, 24% of caregivers reported that they always had to dedicate more time to the child or adolescent, not leaving enough time for themselves. We can also note that 62% of caregivers reported that they sometimes felt more irritable or tense in recent months when the child was around. 50% reported that their health never suffered due to involvement in child or adolescent care. However, 64% reported that they sometimes feel uncertain about what to do to help the child or adolescent. It can also be observed that 42% report that they sometimes think they should be doing more for the child. Finally, 40% reported that they always felt overwhelmed in caring for the child during the covid-19 pandemic, evidencing the need for adequate social support and family support for the division of basic activities to be carried out with the child. Conclusion: It is concluded that the children showed a worsening of the symptoms that already existed in the pandemic period, high levels of overload can be observed. It is understood that it is necessary to expand access to multidisciplinary care in order to minimize the damage caused by the pandemic on the mental health of children with mental disorders. In this way, health services become responsible for offering support and health education, in order to reduce emotional overload.