Suicide attempt and severe depression in a patient with COVID-19, the possible effect of therapeutic regimes

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has different manifestations including neurologic manifestations. Lack of a suit-able therapeutic regime and administration of a variety of treatments could worsen disease manifestations. Some medical interventions besides the high level of stress and quarantined conditions could induce severe depression and even suicide attempts. Here we presented a 42-year-old man without a history of psychiatric disorders that had been admitted to the clinic due to worsening of his dyspnea. After history taking and physical examination, he had been hospitalized and interferon, corticosteroids, and other conservative treatments had been started. According to his clinical manifestations, the doses and medications had been changed the next days. On the morning of his seventh day of hospitalization he had several suicidal attempts which were not successful and after changes in his medications, starting antidepressant drugs, and visiting his family members he had been discharged without the idea of suicide and depressed mood. This report showed the important role of medical staff in monitoring the mental health of COVID-19 patients as there are many risk factors for them to develop psychiatric disturbance. They should be aware of the possible effect of drugs in the alternat-ing mood of patients and even causing suicidal thoughts. We also suggest increasing the level of tryptophan sources in meals of patients and administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in patients with signs of depression after further studies.