Persistent Hallucinations in a Middle-Aged Man After COVID-19 Infection.
Bárbara L Mesquita, Daniela Jeremias, Ana Margarida Fraga, Joana Romao, Sofia Paulino
Cureus November 1, 2024 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.73570 via PubMed
Summary
A middle-aged man with no prior psychiatric history developed visual and persisting auditory hallucinations for months after recovering from very severe COVID-19. While hospitalized, he also reported a near-death experience and seeing his deceased father. The connection between the virus and neuropsychiatric symptoms is thought to arise from direct and indirect impacts on the brain. The case highlights the need for research into adequate interventions for severe neuropsychiatric manifestations following COVID-19.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | Middle-aged man with no previous psychiatric illnesses after very severe COVID-19 |
| Keywords | Auditory hallucinations Covid-19 neuropsychiatric manifestations Near-death experience nde Suicidal ideations Suicide and depression |
| Key finding | A middle-aged man developed visual and persisting auditory hallucinations for months after severe COVID-19, along with a near-death experience. |
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surprise us all with its aftermath. The connection between the virus and neuropsychiatric symptoms is thought to arise from both direct and indirect impacts on the brain, and various explanations have been proposed to account for these effects. This is a case of visual and persisting auditory hallucinations in a middle-aged man, with no previous psychiatric illnesses, after suffering from very severe symptoms of COVID-19. These hallucinations remained for months following recovery from the virus. While hospitalized, the patient also reported having a near-death experience and seeing his deceased father. Despite the inevitable time frame limitation when it comes to severe neuropsychiatric manifestations of patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19, it is imperative to research adequate and effective interventions.