The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of people with preexisting psychiatric problems is enormous. Previous studies during the SARS outbreak demonstrated a significant burden and increase of mental health problems in people with preexisting psychiatric problems, but little is known about the impact on preexisting obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This longitudinal study aims to investigate the prevalence of mental health problems of OCD patients during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. We also want to investigate the impact on family accommodation (FA). There is growing evidence that FA maintains and/or facilitates OCD symptoms. OCD patients and their live-in family members, followed at the Centre for OCD of the Ghent university hospital, will be included. Sociodemographic data, data regarding employment and previous mental health problems will be collected at the first survey. The Y-BOCS (OCD symtoms) and FAS (family accommodation) will be taken from patients and family members respectively at the start, after 1, 3 and 6 months. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Dutch translation of the Covid-19 Peritraumatic Distress Index (CPDI) will be administered at the same time points through an online survey.~Secondly, patients and live-in family members will be interviewed about their experiences concerning the covid pandemic, the isolation measures, media exposure and change of mental health practice and the impact on the OCD (qualitative research).
The impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on mental health of people with preexisting psychiatric problems is enormous. This longitudinal study investigates the prevalence of mental health problems (obsessive compulsive, or depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress...) of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) patients and their live-in family members. We also aim to investigate the impact of the pandemic, isolation measures, exposure to media and changing therapeutic setting in OCD patients and their live-in family members through qualitative research.