First episode psychosis following COVID-19 infection: two case reports from Turkey

Abstract

Introduction: Coronoviruses can reach the brain by various mechanisms and cause neuropsychiatric symptoms. We present two case reports of patients presenting with first episode psychosis after Covid-19 infection to a training and research hospital in Turkey. Results: According to the Structured Clinical Interview-Clinician Version for DSM-5 Disorders (SCID-5/CV), both patients were diagnosed with first episode psychosis. The cases had psychosocial stressors and their complaints resolved with low-dose antipsychotic treatment. Conclusions: As a result, we think that psychosocial factors such as stressful events and environments created by the pandemic may trigger first-episode psychosis.