Analysis of Google searches during the confinement period reveals a marked increase in searches related to the terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack”. A British study highlights an aggravation of eating disorders during this period.
- In the United States, the number of searches related to the terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” during confinement increased by 17%.
- Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) reported a worsening of their eating disorder symptoms during the lockdown period.
Gradually, the damage of confinement on our health is revealed. Two new studies suggest an increase in people’s anxiety and a profound deterioration in behavioral problems. Their results were published respectively on August 24 in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine and in the Journal of Eating Disorders to be released August 31.
Years to understand all the consequences
The first study looked at Google searches between March 16 and April 14. In the United States, the number of searches related to the terms “anxiety attack” and “panic attack” increased by 17%. A similar peak was observed in France. “Searches for anxiety and panic attacks were the highest ever in more than 16 years of historical datadescribes Dr. Benjamin Althouse, co-author of the study. In practical terms, during the first 58 days of the Covid-19 pandemic, we estimated the total number of searches related to severe acute anxiety in the United States to be 3.4 million.”. In total, 375,000 additional Google searches for these terms were reported over this period.
These results are only the beginning of the analysis of the consequences of confinement on our mental health. “It may take years to fully understand the societal fallout from Covid-19supports Dr. Adam Poliak, and co-author of the study. Over time, we may discover that many more global services will be needed to address other collateral consequences and our rapid data-driven approach could be used to target and prioritize responses to these impacts..”
Deconfinement, a new stage
The British researchers who carried out the second study, relating to the evolution of eating disorders during confinement, questioned 129 people with one of these disorders. These are of three types, from anorexia to bulimia through hyperphagia. Among those questioned, nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) reported a worsening of their symptoms during the confined period. Among them, 30% even declare that their symptoms have “much aggravated”. The researchers, however, have a limit to their study since the participants were recruited on social networks where, potentially, it is those living their condition the least well who would be more inclined to respond.
For these people who have suffered from an aggravation of their symptoms, the period of deconfinement is a new ordeal. “People with eating disorders will likely experience a long-term effect on their symptoms and recovery. It is important that this is recognized by health services, and beyond, in order to offer the necessary resources to support this vulnerable population now and on an ongoing basis.”, argues Dr. Dawn Branley-Bell, co-author of the study.