Mental stress reaction in a COVID-19 patient: a case report

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of a global and novel respiratory illness, COVID-19, has also been reported to have come with some neuropsychiatric manifestations. These manifestations are often interpreted as the threat of COVID-19 to the synchrony of the harmony between the mind and the external environment. A case report of one of such disruption to a stable mental state is the aim of this study.

Methodology/Results:We reported a case of a 32-year old single male, who was undergoing treatment for COVID- 19 in an infectious disease treatment facility situated in Kaduna, Kaduna State Nigeria. He became anxious on the day of admission prior to the onset of behavioural disturbance. The patient subsequently labelled the intense psychiatric symptomatology as outcome of predominant preoccupation with florid themes of death and dying. Psychotropic medications and brief psychological intervention do contribute immensely to his recovery before and after discharge.

Conclusion: The authors concluded that early identification and intervention of psychiatric manifestations of pandemic diseases will help limit related acute stress reaction and it’s transition to post-traumatic stress disorder or other debilitating mental illness. Hence, the inclusion of mental health professionals in the managing team is of paramount consideration in the management of pandemicity.

Key words: COVID-19, Kaduna, Case report, Mental stress reaction