Caitlin J. McCarthy, MD; Suraj Singh, MD
WMJ. 2023;122(5):377-379
ABSTRACT
Introduction: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that may cause neuropsychiatric sequelae, including persistent psychotic symptoms.
Case Presentation: A 70-year-old White man with no prior psychiatric history presented with altered mental status, Cotard’s syndrome, and rigid delusions of poverty and homelessness 6 weeks after recovering from a mild case of COVID-19. After extensive medical workup revealed no organic etiology, he was treated for psychotic symptoms with an atypical antipsychotic, an antidepressant, and electroconvulsive therapy, with improvement over time.
Discussion: While COVID-19 is primarily a respiratory disease, some individuals may develop new-onset psychiatric or neuropsychiatric symptoms without prior psychiatric history.
Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the only published case of post–COVID-19 psychotic symptoms treated with electroconvulsive therapy. As the pandemic continues, the total impact of COVID-19 on psychotic symptoms remains to be seen.