Perceptions and Experiences of COVID Recovered Individuals Regarding Psychological Distress in Sialkot

This study explores the perceptions and experiences of COVID recovered individuals regarding psychological distress, and the effects of COVID-19 on their mental health, which prevents them from seeking treatment, especially during the pandemic. It records the episode of psychological distress by using the patient’s end of Kleinman’s Explanatory Model of Illness and evaluates through inductive reflexive thematic analysis all the possible aspects that may be affecting the mental well-being of the individuals. The study utilizes content gathered through in-depth interviews of the 20 COVID recovered individuals at two COVID-19 treatment centers in the district of Sialkot, a government hospital, and a private healthcare facility. The results of the study suggest that COVID-19 has had a particularly negative impact on the mental health of individuals, leading to extreme psychological distress. Individual treatment-seeking behaviors are heavily influenced by multiple sociocultural and religious factors that restrict their treatment options. This study highlights the importance and needs to facilitate a system where individual experiences and perceptions coupled with medical treatment options are made available for the individuals.