New paper reveals impact of first lockdown on depression and anxiety diagnosis

On the second anniversary of Covid-19 lockdown in the UK, a new psychology paper highlights the mental health impacts lockdown had on those living in the UK. The first COVID-19 lockdown in the UK, which began two years ago today on 23 March 2020, had a profound effect in increasing the prevalence of anxiety and depression among the general population, according to a new study. A detailed systematic review, conducted by psychologists at the University of Bath and published in the British Journal of Clinical Psychology , suggests that depression and anxiety levels in the UK jumped markedly as a consequence of restrictions and isolation. Whereas prevalence for diagnosed depression pre-pandemic was around 4% of the population, this rose to 32% following lockdown (a jump of nearly 28%). Diagnosed cases of anxiety, which pre-pandemic were around 5%, increased to 31% (a jump of over 26%). According to the NHS, psychological symptoms of depression include continuous low mood or sadness, feeling hopeless and helpless and having low self-esteem. Diagnosis for anxiety typically includes worrying significantly about daily life, work and social life and finding worries overly stressful, upsetting, and uncontrollable.