After clinicians worldwide have reported a few episodes of psychosis in persons previously infected by COVID-19, there is now a rising worry about how the condition can impair mental health.
Cases of people losing contact with reality after being infected with COVID-19 have been highly unusual so far. Doctors are unsure whether the virus or anything else is to blame, but establishing a link could help us better understand the various COVID-19 long-term effects.
Acknowledging the Cases of Psychosis in COVID-19 Patients
The New York Times reported on Dec. 28, 2020, that a handful of people with no history of mental disease developed psychotic episodes within weeks after contracting the COVID-19.2 virus. The publication said that psychosis caused some people to be highly violent. One woman was convinced that her children were in danger of being stolen. Another saw visions of monkeys and a lion, while another cried for days, terrified that “bad spirits” had invaded her home.
Moreover, there were reports in journals and medical literature about incidences of psychosis in people infected with the virus. The Lancet Psychiatry published a study on neurological and mental consequences in 153 persons hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United Kingdom in June 2020. It discovered 39 persons with disturbed mental status, 10 of whom had just developed psychosis. Cases of new-onset psychosis in persons with COVID-19 have also been reported in other journals in Spain and Italy.
A study published in January by Neuroscience Letters, which focuses on “rapid publication of short, high-quality papers” for neuroscientists, looked at dozens of persons who had psychosis and were suspected of having COVID-19 infections. Auditory hallucinations, mania, delusions, and acute delirium were among the mental symptoms experienced by some of the participants in the case series.
While the danger of psychosis after receiving COVID-19 is concerning, current research indicates that it is relatively uncommon. It doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be taken seriously or examined, but it’s crucial to show the public that this isn’t a widespread issue.
Identifying the Cause of Psychosis
There have been no large-scale investigations on the association between COVID-19 and psychosis to date, making it impossible to pinpoint the actual cause of the disorder. Some specialists believe it’s the outcome of increased virus-related inflammation. According to scientists, COVID is thought to be connected to a significant inflammatory response and vascular abnormalities. The neurotoxins generated during the inflammatory reaction could be a factor. Neuroinvasion by the virus is another potential cause.
People may develop psychiatric symptoms due to the circumstances surrounding their sickness and treatment, whether for COVID-19 or another condition.
A fever, changes in blood chemistry, reactions to medications you’re taking, changes in surroundings, lack of sleep, and other factors can all contribute to delirium or an acute confusional state. Acute psychosis can result from the COVID-19 infection or from everything else that comes with being unwell.
Doctors think more research into the link between COVID-19 and psychosis and other neurological disorders is critical. Gaining a greater understanding of these disorders could help doctors predict COVID-19’s long-term health implications and, in turn, identify strategies to help patients feel better.
What This Means For You
Doctors around the world believed that COVID-19 links to severe psychosis. While this disease appears to be relatively rare, it’s crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms if you or a loved one has been affected by the virus. Hallucinations, delusions, confusion, suspicion, and difficulties concentrating are all symptoms of psychosis you should look out for.
If you or someone you know has psychosis, seek medical help as soon as possible. Reach out to Therapy24x7 or call 917-780-2171 to schedule an appointment. Our 24/7 therapists in Brooklyn are with you in these difficult times.