Surviving the storm: Wave-wise comparison of the pandemic's impact on mental health dynamics, sleep patterns, and preventive behaviors among coronavirus patients in Northern India

Background: Different clinical manifestations were revealed by the distinct waves of the coronavirus. The pandemic had a multifaceted impact on mental health, sleep patterns, and associated fear.

Materials and methods: It was an observational online survey using by using Google Forms in the city of Chandigarh between April 2020 and April 2021 across three waves of the coronavirus outbreak (first wave from March 2020 to May 2020, second wave from June 2020 to January 2021, and third wave from February 2021 to April 2021). Fear of coronavirus disease (COVID), preventive behaviors, insomnia-related problems, and impact of the event were assessed by using standardized scales.

Results: The participants who were infected during the first phase exhibited significantly higher levels of distress, loss of control over their reactions, increased fear of coronavirus and sleep problems, and also greater adherence to preventive behaviors compared to those who were infected during the second and third waves. A tendency to emerge post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was seen in 68 (58.1%) of the participants (Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI) score >14) and 34 (29.1%) of all the participants (PDI score >23). Overall, 66 (56.4%) participants reported having insomnia. About 24 people (20.5%) had clinical concerns about PTSD, 20 people (17.1%) had probable PTSD diagnoses, and 16 people (13.7%) experienced a severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic impact on their lives.

Conclusion: The first wave of COVID-19 had a greater psychological impact than subsequent waves. Further research must fill important gaps in our knowledge of the clinical range and long-term effects.