In April this year, Polish researchers from the Institute of Psychology at the University of Łódź conducted a study to verify the emotional situation and mental state of the study group from the beginning of the pandemic and during the first lockdown. The study was conducted in a group of young people from larger cities and with a varied medical history in terms of mental health. The study included 450 respondents. The results showed that those who had previously received forms of psychiatric/psychological support endured the lockdown condition significantly worse. Basically, it is not the fact of confinement itself that is problematic here, but the state of suspension and uncertainty, which a person mentally does not cope with very well.

The states that emerged during lockdown were suicidal thoughts, deterioration of mood (also in people denying the existence of the problem), discouragement, feelings associated with anxiety, as well as sleep disturbances. This led in many cases to reduced activity. The response to the lack of adjustment mechanisms in some cases was to turn to psychoactive substances.

According to the structure of the human psyche, the best state for it is when, on the basis of incoming information, it is able to anticipate events and control situations - then we feel safe and have a sense of psychological comfort.

The sense of security itself is a very complex state, experienced subjectively as a feeling of being free from danger. It represents a category of needs for which we can feel a state of stability and peace.

The COVID-19 situation is unusual for everyone, and requires adaptation from many of us. Anxiety and a sense of hopelessness are noted - in the context of clinical work, these are symptoms that precede the onset of depressive states, although these are not currently noted with increased severity, but it is necessary to look ahead and infer the possible growth of this disorder.