"COVID-19 spreads round the planet, and so do paranoid thoughts". A qualitative investigation into personal experiences of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Lyons, Minna, Bootes, Ellen ORCID: 0000-0003-2988-7306, Brewer, Gayle ORCID: 0000-0003-0690-4548, Stratton, Katie and Centifanti, Luna ORCID: 0000-0003-4562-8187 (2021) "COVID-19 spreads round the planet, and so do paranoid thoughts". A qualitative investigation into personal experiences of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY. pp. 1-10.

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect people who have had previous experiences of psychosis - either positively or negatively. A research gap exists in looking at qualitative experiences of the pandemic. In the present study, we address the research gap in those who self-identified as having psychosis via Reddit discussion forum posts, collecting data from a popular online community. Sixty-five posts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Five overarching themes were identifie; declining mental health, changed psychosis experiences, personal coping experiences, social connectedness and disconnectedness, and COVID-19 as a metaphor. The data show that there are varied experiences associated with the pandemic. People who have experiences of psychosis do not only have vulnerabilities but may also perceive themselves as having strengths that allow them to cope better.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Psychosis, Pandemic, COVID-19, Mental health, Discussion forum, Reddit, Thematic analysis
Divisions:	Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Faculty of Health and Life Sciences > Institute of Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	21 Oct 2021 09:30
Last Modified:	11 Feb 2023 10:16
DOI:	10.1007/s12144-021-02369-0
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3141145