Psychosocial Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Eating Disorders

Patients with eating disorders (EDs) are considered more vulnerable to pandemic-induced psychological distress due to COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to analyze the repercussions of social isolation on the physical and mental health of patients diagnosed with EDs during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and to investigate their reactions to the shift from face-to-face to online care. This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research with a longitudinal design. In total, 13 female patients aged from 13 to 66 years and who were in outpatient follow-up participated in this research. Data were remotely collected using a form applied and reapplied at a six-month interval. Results were subjected to thematic reflective analysis and grouped into four central categories: Adaptation to conditions of social isolation; Emotional repercussions: listening to the persistent rumor of death; Quality of food, management of emotions, and level of body dissatisfaction; Transition to online care: perceived facilities and barriers. Results show marked psychosocial vulnerability, which is reflected in the worsening of preexisting symptoms and the emergence of new psychological suffering, indicating the need to intensify the monitoring in this period, according to the adaptations required by the pandemic scenario.

Keywords:
Eating Disorders; Pandemics; COVID-19; Social Isolation; Eating Behavior