Covid-19 Anxiety Syndrome ‘still causing people to struggle’ despite lockdown easing

1 in 5 people are still suffering from ‘Covid-19 Anxiety Syndrome’, according to new research led by London South Bank University (LSBU).  

The new UK-wide survey of 975 people, conducted in late June, found: 

Professor Marcantonio Spada from LSBU’s Centre for Addictive Behaviours and Professor Ana Nikčević from Kingston University first identified the concept of Covid-19 Anxiety Syndrome in April 2020.  

Their research found that people were developing a particular set of behaviours as a result of their fear of the virus, and they conducted the current study in collaboration with Professor Ian Albery from LSBU’s Centre for Addictive Behaviours Research. 

Covid-19 Anxiety Syndrome consists of forms of coping such as a constant attention to threat, worry, avoidance and excessive checking, that can keep people locked into a state of continuous anxiety and fear of contracting the virus.    

Professor Marcantonio Spada, Professor of Addictive Behaviours and Mental Health at LSBU, said, 

“Our data indicates that after one month of re-opening of society many people are still struggling with aspects of Covid-19 Anxiety Syndrome, a similar figure to what we previously observed during full lockdown.  

 “This means that there are still many people who find it difficult to disengage from the Covid-19 threats which may make return to normal daily living harder as restrictions ease.” 

 “Our new findings show how vital it is that people affected by ‘Covid Anxiety Syndrome’ receive support. Mapping out how we will do this will become a priority for mental health service providers,” Professor Spada added.