High prevalence of insomnia during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019, also known as COVID-19 first emerged in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and since then, has rapidly spread globally. It was declared as public Health Emergency of international concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization on 30th Jan 2020,1 and a pandemic on 11th March 2020.2 As of time of writing this report, there are >20 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, and >750,000 confirmed deaths globally reported by WHO. As per CDC USA data reported on August 18, 2020, there are 5,422,242 cases reported in United States with 169,870 deaths. It has long been known that incidence of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, and sleep disturbances rises during disease pandemics/epidemics.3 Given the uniquely high impact of the current pandemic, it should hardly be surprising if a similar, or indeed worse, pattern be observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, these mental health problems likely have long-lasting affect, beyond the duration of the pandemic.4 Beyond the obvious cost in terms of mortality and morbidity due to the infection itself, the unprecedented spread of the pandemic has caused immense socioeconomic strain due to mandatory lockdowns across the developed and the developing world. For example, quarantine by itself is an independent risk factor for worsening emotional disturbance, depression, stress, low mood, irritability and anger, poor sleep, and posttraumatic stress symptoms.5 Various stressors during or post quarantine include fear of infection, frustration, and boredom, in adequate supplies, inadequate information, stigma and worry about finances.5