COVID-19 and the manifestation of psychosis: clinical cases

Abstract

The emergence and global spread of the new coronavirus COVID-19 has placed a significant mental health burden on communities around the world. Many of the mental manifestations of COVID-19 are the result of psychological stressors such as fear of illness and death, prolonged social isolation, insecurity and fear of the future. However, there is growing evidence that the virus itself can cause psychosis in infected people. The potential of the virus to induce psychosis is of particular interest. Much remains to be seen about the biological mechanisms, presentation, treatment and long-term results of psychotic illnesses associated with COVID-19. METHODS. This article examines cases of manifestation of psychosis against the background of a new coronavirus infection. The features of the development of psychosis, course, response to therapy are analyzed. The analysis of foreign scientific literature on psychoses associated with COVID-19 is carried out. RESULTS. According to the results of the analysis of clinical cases, acute psychoproductive symptomatology, pronounced anxiety and insomnia were described. A positive response to therapy with second-generation antipsychotics with good tolerance in usual therapeutic dosages was observed in 100% of cases. Achieving a therapeutic response required a change of antipsychotics.