Effect of acute depression associated with COVID-19 infection on health-seeking behaviour: a psychiatrist's personal account and case report

Abstract

Background Despite the abundant research on COVID-19-related mental health problems, little attention has been paid to acute depression occurring concurrently with the infection as a neuropsychiatric manifestation. This is important because depression is known to adversely affect help-seeking. Decreased help-seeking is likely to be aggravated by the isolation measures demanded as part of fighting the pandemic, given the disruption of social support networks. Aims To study the effects of acute depression associated with COVID-19 infection on help-seeking behaviour. Method We present a case report and personal account of a patient psychiatrist who developed a first onset of acute depression as part of COVID-19 infection. Results Despite being a mental health expert the patient lacked insight into his mood change and its negative effect on help-seeking behaviour, resulting in reliance on a family caregiver to raise the alarm. Conclusions For those experiencing this complex interaction between COVID-19 infection and the brain, social support will be needed to ensure timely presentation to the healthcare system. Greater attention to behavioural change as part of COVID-19 infection is needed to optimise treatment outcome.