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Older people suffered biggest rise in anxiety during first lockdown

Anxiety among older people doubled during the first Covid lockdown, research suggests. 

A study of 380,000 people found the pandemic caused the biggest blow to 60 to 80-year-olds' mental health.

People in that age group reported the greatest increase in anxiety and depression, as well as getting less sleep.

Isolation from family and friends and worries about being most at risk from the virus is likely to blame, according to the researchers. 

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They said there is 'cause for concern' about both younger and older peoples' mental health, but the disproportionate impact on older people has been 'overlooked', so they should be prioritised for support.

But the study also found that the lockdown had a positive impact on some peoples' mental health, with participants experiencing more spare time and a greater sense of community. 

a person flying through the sky: The largest changes in the study were seen in anxiety levels (Brian Lawless/PA)

Britain WILL 'of course' face a new lockdown if Covid third wave hits 'unacceptable' levels of hospitalisations, minister warns

Britain will 'of course' face a new lockdown if Covid's third wave hits 'unacceptable' levels, a minister warned today after Chris Whitty admitted the country may have to face new restrictions within weeks.

Solicitor General Lucy Frazer suggested it was the right time to open up because of the success of the vaccination drive — which has reached 90 per cent of Britons.

But with cases continuing to soar, hospital admissions tracking above some of SAGE's worst-case projections, and deaths having hit a four-month high, she warned that No10 may be left with no choice but to consider reimposing tough restrictions.

Ms Frazer said: 'Of course, if we get into a situation where it is unacceptable and we do need to put back further restrictions, then that of course is something the Government will look at.'

England's chief medical officer last night cautioned the UK could still 'get into trouble again surprisingly fast' and hospitals may face 'scary numbers' within a matter of weeks.

Making it clear the country was not on an irreversible path to freedom despite No10 pushing ahead with step four of the roadmap to normality on Monday, Professor Chris Whitty said: 'We are not by any means out of the woods yet.'

Boris Johnson has already dropped all mention of the final unlocking being 'irreversible'. The Prime Minister has resorted to caution, calling on people not to 'go wild' and immediately rush to take advantage of the final easing — which includes lifting work-at-home orders and reopening nightclubs.

Cases have spiralled over the past few weeks, with scientists blaming the easing of restrictions and young men gathering to watch England's Euro 2020 campaign for the uptick.

timeline: MailOnline logo

Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released today estimated one in 95 in England had Covid last week, with infections rising 73.5 per cent to 577,7000. 

Researchers said their study, which was published today in the journal Nature Communications, is the largest of its kind and found 'wide-ranging positive and negative effects' on the UK population's mental health and wellbeing.  

The participants, around 90 per cent of whom live in the UK, completed a questionnaire on their mental health in January 2020, followed up by another in May and June 2020.

The number of over-80s who said they experienced anxiety daily and several times a week more than doubled, researchers found.  

Around 14 per cent more people over 80 reported feeling depressed during lockdown than they did before it.

Older adults also reported having the highest health concerns compared to other age groups. 

Among all the participants, the biggest change was seen in anxiety levels, with the proportion of people feeling anxious or on edge several times a week rising from 24 per cent to 33 per cent. 

The proportion of people who said they never felt anxious fell from 18 per cent to 8 per cent. 

But the number of participants saying they felt depressed, had low energy, trouble concentrating decreased overall.

Healthcare workers showed large differences to the broader population, such as having less free time, being less likely to feel more relaxed and more likely to report greater work engagement.

People living with their parents or small children reported having more conflicts at home.

But the researchers said a 'surprising proportion' of people experienced substantial positives during the first lockdown, such as greater sense of community, improved environment, connection with loved ones, reduced commute times and more spare time for family and pursuits.

Disabled people and shielders had some of the most negative perceptions, reporting little benefit from positives others identified.

On average, younger people indicated higher anxiety and depression scores than older adults prior to the pandemic, and these remained higher during the first lockdown.

The researchers said there is cause for concern about the mental health of younger and older people, but while considerable attention has been drawn to the former, the disproportionate impact on older people has been 'overlooked'.

Dr Adam Hampshire, a reader at Imperial's department of brain sciences, said: 'Although anxiety levels increased across all ages, older people were disproportionately affected, also showing higher levels of depression, and getting fewer hours of sleep.

'There are multiple reasons why this may be the case, including isolation from loved ones and the worries that come with being the most at risk to the virus.

'I believe this older demographic has not received enough attention and must be prioritised for care and mental health interventions, especially those who are clinically vulnerable and may feel left behind as we move out of lockdown.'

The survey is still available to the public, and researchers will contact respondents to see how they are adapting later on in the pandemic and in its aftermath.

Dr Hampshire told MailOnline that their still to be published follow-up study found 44 per cent of all adults were 44 per cent more anxious in January 2021 than they were one year earlier.

Reference: Daily Mail : Emily Craig Health Reporter For Mailonline

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