ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION: SOMATIZATION OF SYMPTOMS IN THE NURSING PROFESSIONAL IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Depression and anxiety disorders are the most common chronic psychiatric diseases in the world population, the first characterized by symptoms such as mood swings, deep sadness, feelings of worthlessness, discouragement and guilt; and the second characterized by anguish, dread, a sense of imminent danger, and worry. This research aims to identify the triggering factors of anxiety and depression in nursing professionals in the post-COVID-19 pandemic context. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive observational study with a quantitative approach, as instruments were used a questionnaire of sociodemographic data and the test A Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - Short Form (DASS-21), in nursing professionals of two public hospital units in the city of São Luís, Maranhão. The results showed mild to extremely severe anxiety (42.2%) of the professionals; 30.8% of the technicians and all the assistants showed a tendency to depression, presenting in those without another bond (38.3%), more than in those with other bonds (10.2%); and anxiety was associated only with having another bond (55%); while stress was more present in nurses (14.5%). It is concluded that the risk of mental illness of the nursing team in the pandemic context, being exposed to risk factors for mental illness while fighting daily coronavirus infections, requiring a differentiated look at this category.