CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19) PSYCHOLOGICAL, BEHAVIOURAL AND INTERPERSONAL IMPACTS OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE OUTBREAKS: A REVIEW

Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the world, it is causing widespread concern, fear and stress all of which are natural and normal reactions to the changing and uncertain situation that everyone finds themselves in. WHO takes the impact of the crisis on people’s mental health very seriously and is monitoring the situation together with national authorities while providing information and guidance to governments and public. The current study was carried out to indicate that COVID-19 has negative psychological, behavioural and Interpersonal problems other than mortality. A review of the studies performed in other parts of the world showed that COVID-19 has caused several psychological impacts, including increased anxiety, stress and depression. By an increase in the prevalence rate of COVID-19 and its resulted restrictions, the level of stress, depression and anxiety increases, as well; therefore, raising public awareness of the disease and providing positive psychological programs in the media aimed at controlling stress can reduce anxiety in society.