Anxiety and Coping with Anxiety in Patients with COVID-19: A Review of the Existing Literature

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with significant fear and extreme anxiety in patients; this can lead to a strong emotional state that can negatively impact their mental health and immune system. While the nature and effect of COVID-19 on mental health status are yet to be determined, existing literature offers some clues to understand what to expect in dealing with COVID-19 anxiety. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of anxiety and coping with anxiety in COVID-19 patients  Method: This is a narrative review of existing literature relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic via PubMed, EMBASE, and GOOGLE SCHOLAR database on anxiety in patients with COVID- 19 and represented in a search flow. Articles search with the use of keywords in various permutations and combinations.  Results: A total number of 73 articles were identified, following deduplication and exclusion of non-relevant studies two major articles, observational and randomized controlled trials were identified with broad themes specifically on the effect of anxiety on COVID-19 patients. These two publications were written in English and from Chinese centers.  Conclusion: Current evidence revealed that increased social capital will improve sleep quality by reducing anxiety and stress of patients in self-isolation, also progressive muscle relaxation has a positive effect on improving sleep quality and reducing anxiety in patients with COVID-19. These findings have some serious clinical and public health implications hence this is a call for further research.