Mental Health Disorder Post-COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Psychotic disorder is characterized by cognitive decline that compromises functioning of the individual. Its symptoms include speech
disorganization, psychomotor and behavioral changes, delusions, and hallucinations. The condition can be associated with dissociative manifestations. In the case of an acute psychotic episode, the causes are diverse and include trauma, substances, mood or schizophrenic disorders, and other physiological conditions. Psychological therapies are indicated for treatment.

Case Presentation: A 45-year-old previously healthy man contracted COVID-19 at the beginning of 2021. The patient had headache, fever, pulmonary alterations, and taste and smell changes. After 5 weeks, the patient started to experience periods of mental confusion, disjointed speech, aggression, and psychomotor agitation, which progressively worsened. In view of drowsiness upon neurological examination and the lack of changes in other imaging tests, the patient underwent a PET/CT scan that showed cerebral hypometabolism in the frontal lobes, more evident in the mesial portion, including the anterior cingulate gyrus, and in the superior portions of the parietal lobes.

Conclusion: We found a clear association between previous COVID-19 infection and the development of a psychotic episode with dissociative manifestations after a few weeks. However, more studies are needed to better elucidate the results.