Authors :
Frimpong-Manso Addo; Christian Amoah; Emma Sethina Adjaottor; Gifty B. Amankwaah;
Volume/Issue :
Volume 6 - 2021, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
http://bitly.ws/9nMw
Scribd :
https://bit.ly/37CHHu5
Abstract :
Introduction: Patients with excessive anxiety
about a situation or object that is not obvious and
imminently threatening tend to express their worries in
physical symptoms and can confuse health professionals.
Case presentation: We report a case of COVID-19
related anxiety-depressive disorder whose treatment was
initially delayed because the patient expressed her
anxiety in somatic complaints and, also by cultural and
professional factors. Discussion: She referred herself to
the Psychiatric team and was subsequently treated with
combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
Psychoeducation and psycho-pharmacotherapy with
good outcome. Conclusion: Until treatment becomes
available, COVID-19 has become a source of emotional
disturbance globally, especially, for the at risk
individuals. Clinicians should have a high index of
suspicion for psychiatric disorders in patients who
somatise their emotional problems and avoid unhelpful
laborious and expensive investigations and, treatments
on such patients. They should refer them for early
psychiatric opinion and management to prevent delays
that can adversely impact on their treatment outcomes
Keywords :
Somatisation, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Treatment, COVID-19.
Introduction: Patients with excessive anxiety
about a situation or object that is not obvious and
imminently threatening tend to express their worries in
physical symptoms and can confuse health professionals.
Case presentation: We report a case of COVID-19
related anxiety-depressive disorder whose treatment was
initially delayed because the patient expressed her
anxiety in somatic complaints and, also by cultural and
professional factors. Discussion: She referred herself to
the Psychiatric team and was subsequently treated with
combination of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT),
Psychoeducation and psycho-pharmacotherapy with
good outcome. Conclusion: Until treatment becomes
available, COVID-19 has become a source of emotional
disturbance globally, especially, for the at risk
individuals. Clinicians should have a high index of
suspicion for psychiatric disorders in patients who
somatise their emotional problems and avoid unhelpful
laborious and expensive investigations and, treatments
on such patients. They should refer them for early
psychiatric opinion and management to prevent delays
that can adversely impact on their treatment outcomes
Keywords :
Somatisation, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Treatment, COVID-19.
