Psychological Symptoms and Self-Medication Behavior among COVID-19 Recoverees

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Mental Health
• Public Health
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated psychological symptoms, persisting even after recovery.
• Screening instruments are often used to assess symptoms, though diagnostic tools are required for formal psychiatric disorder measurement.
• Self-medication practices are a concern in post-viral recovery populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and emotional distress (anxiety, stress) in COVID-19 recoverees.
• To investigate the prevalence and predictors of self-medication behaviors among these individuals.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 400 adult COVID-19 recoverees in Isfahan, Iran.
• Utilized Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depressive symptoms and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) for emotional distress.
• A researcher-designed questionnaire assessed self-medication; logistic regression identified predictors.

Main Results:

• 35.1% experienced moderate to severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 ≥ 10).
• 38.8% reported moderate to severe anxiety and 33.5% moderate to severe stress (DASS-21).
• 32.8% engaged in self-medication (sedatives, antidepressants, herbal remedies); depression was a significant predictor (OR = 2.18).

Conclusions:

• High prevalence of psychological symptoms and self-medication observed in COVID-19 recoverees.
• Depression, not anxiety or stress, was linked to self-medication behavior.
• Emphasizes the need for enhanced mental health support and regulated medication access in post-COVID care.