TRAUMATIC STRESS IS A SIGNIFICANT public health problem that frequently results in a distinctive pattern of persistent and disabling psychological and physiological symptoms. Once thought to be primarily limited to soldiers in combat, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is now recognized in civilians, including those who have experienced natural disasters, physical and sexual assault, fire, motor vehicle and other serious trauma, as well as thosewhohave witnessed inflicted injury or death. Exposure to a traumatic event is common, estimated in the range of 5% to 35% annually, with a lifetime exposure to 1 or more traumatic events occurring in more than 50% of the US population.
There is substantial evidence that depression is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. The mechanisms underlying the association have not been determined. It is also not known whether treatments for depression, including antidepressant medications, affect this association, or whether there are differences among types of antidepressant medications with regard to adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Depression is highly prevalent. Approximately 20% of patients in primary care present with clinically significant depressive symptoms. In certain urban areas of the United Kingdom, up to 17% of the general population are affected. Despite improved awareness of the condition in primary care, depression remains difficult to diagnose initially, and the majority of cases are only recognized at subsequent consultations, sometimes several years after the patient’s initial visit.
In December 2019, the world health organization (WHO) had reported a sudden elevation in the incidence of pneumonia in Wuhan city, China without a known relevant cause. These raised levels in pneumonia cases were then attributed to the newly diagnosed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which is caused by a highly contagious virus, that consequently resulted in a global pandemic infection in a relatively short duration. COVID-19 can affect people both physically and mentally. WHO had announced that mental symptoms had aroused due to the public fear. Studies had suggested that stress, anxiety and depression would be associated with COVID-19 infection.
