Doctors say rare case of COVID psychosis suggests post-COVID increase in mental health problems

Post-COVID illnesses are not just physical. Many can take the form of depression, anxiety, and in extremely rare cases, severe disorganized thinking.

A local woman disappeared for two weeks due to COVID psychosis diagnosed by doctors.

“I couldn’t find my way back. I literally can’t find my way home,” said Chatsworth’s Hadyne Wilson.

On September 29, the 23-year-old left her job at this Vons in Chatsworth and disappeared for two weeks. A few fragmented memories are all she has.

“I would try to sit on benches, things like that just don’t have that much interaction or at least try to find my phone since it was stolen,” she said.

When it came to eating, she was dependent on alms. Wilson had no history of mental health problems until she was hospitalized with COVID-19 a few months before she disappeared. At this point her doctors say she has experienced something extremely rare: COVID psychosis.

“Patients can have delusions. Irregular thought patterns,” said neurologist Dr. Joey Gee of the Providence Mission Heritage Medical Group.

Gee wasn’t Wilson’s doctor but said he’s seeing an increase in post-COVID patients suffering from mental health problems long after they’re infected.

“Maybe they were in a hospital for a long time. And developed a level of anxiety or even what we call delirium,” he said.

While Covid-19 may be the common denominator of these post-viral mental illnesses, Gee says health history plays a role.

“The person themselves may have a specific history that increases their likelihood of developing certain symptoms from a significant injury or trauma such as COVID-19,” she said.

Gee said researchers are working to understand the cause, but scientists believe brain inflammation plays a role. The good news for Wilson is that these symptoms can be resolved.

“Most reports show great success in improvement, recovery and rehabilitation with medication and community and medical support,” Gee said.

A friendly stranger helped Wilson get to an emergency room. After another hospital stay and treatment, Wilson feels fully recovered. She credits her survival to prayers.

“Not just people in my church, my family, but just God always watching over me, I would just say, all the time,” Wilson said.