Share Impact of Russian invasion on Ukraine on psychiatric patients in Poland The Russian invasion on Ukraine in February 2022 exacerbated anxiety and other symptoms of mental disorders in some psychiatric patients in Poland. Researchers from SWPS University’s Institute of Psychology, including Magdalena Nowicka, Ph.D. / Assistant Professor, Ewa Jarczewska-Gerc, Ph.D. / Assistant Professor, and Professor Magdalena Marszał-Wiśniewska, investigated individual differences, which influenced patients’ reaction to the war. #war #schizophrenia #depression #psychopathological symptoms #risk perception #temperament What we researched: The study examined the impact of the February 2022 Russian invasion on Ukraine on Polish patients suffering from depression and schizophrenia. How we did it: A group of 80 patients suffering from schizophrenia or depression completed a questionnaire that measured sociodemographic characteristics, perception of risk, temperamental characteristics, and symptoms of depression and schizophrenia. The researchers compared the reported symptom intensity with an average symptom intensity, calculated on the basis of archival symptom measurements from the three consecutive months preceding the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian War (RUW). They also analyzed predictors of change in symptoms, taking into account sociodemographic variables, the level of risk perception, and temperamental traits. What we discovered: The results indicate the specific patterns of reactions to war danger for patients with different types of psychiatric diagnosis. Depressed patients reacted with an increase in seven symptoms related to unworthiness and/or guilt, lack of interest, and/or pleasure and pessimism. The response of schizophrenic patients was related only to an increase in positive symptoms. Why is it important? Because, it highlights the need to provide more support to psychiatric patients in acute emergencies. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study assessing the impact of RUW on psychiatric patients in Europe. It can serve as an important benchmark for the mental health system. The reactions of psychiatric patients to the threat of war may vary. Regardless of the differences, there is a need to raise awareness about this population in terms of the availability of emergency care and ongoing psychiatric care during this extremely dangerous global crisis.