COVID-19 and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a huge toll on both the physical and mental health of people around the globe. Neuropsychiatric symptoms, as well as long-term sequelae, have been demonstrated in those afflicted with COVID-19. These symptoms range from cognitive, attention deficit, new-onset anxiety, depression, psychosis, seizures, and post-traumatic stress. Prolonged lockdown led to social isolation which negatively affected the mental well-being of many individuals. This particularly caused a relapse of psychiatric symptoms due to stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It sparked an increase in hoarding behaviors such as obtaining germicidal and cleaning supplies. In this report, we present a case of an adolescent male presenting with a new onset of obsessive-compulsive disorder with symptoms similar to olfactory hallucinations and olfactory reference syndrome in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Emergence of New-Onset Obsessive and Compulsive Disorder in an Adolescent During COVID-19 Pandemic

Sejdiu¹,

Basith²,

Ayala³

et al. 2021

“…In this patient, the diagnosis of TD became challenging as a result of mask-wearing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other conditions have worsened as a result of compulsory masking including posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder [7,8].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Masked Tardive Dyskinesia in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Era

Laboe

Jain

Sam

2021

Self Cite

The universal donning of masks during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic led to a decreased ability to read people's facial expressions. In this context, it is prudent to think about how diagnoses can be missed or worsened by the practice of mandatory masking. Here, we report the case of an adolescent white male who presented with new-onset agitation, akathisia, and orofacial dyskinesia in the context of chronic stimulant use for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and antipsychotic use for oppositional defiant disorder.

“…It is noteworthy that medical and psychiatric illnesses reported during the COVID-19 pandemic have had varied and unprecedented types of presentations. Numerous studies have documented exacerbation and different manifestations of diseases either due to pandemic-related stress or due to infection and post-infection sequelae [2,5,6]. In this report, we discuss the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian female who presented with chief complaints of suicidal ideations and attempted suicide by overdosing on ibuprofen tablets and had a history of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and persistent RP after a stimulant trial.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Persistent Raynaud's Phenomenon Following Methylphenidate Hydrochloride Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Laboe

Batchelder²,

Vasireddy³

2021

Self Cite

Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is a medical condition characterized by vasospasm of the digital vessels in the fingers and toes. The prevalence of RP in the general population is estimated at 3-5% and can vary based on climate. It is classified into primary and secondary RP based on causality. RP has been reported in some cases diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. We report the case of a 14-year-old Caucasian female who presented during the pandemic with chief complaints of suicidal ideations and attempted suicide and had a history of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and persistent RP after a stimulant trial. After an initial failure of treatment with lisdexamfetamine, she was switched to methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH). Within two months of starting MPH, the patient noticed skin discoloration of the lower legs and feet along with numbness. The discoloration of skin was mainly limited to her feet and gradually moved up her legs. She was advised to discontinue the MPH, but her symptoms persisted for four more months until her admission. Other etiologies were ruled out by multi-specialties and during her hospitalization. She was started on atomoxetine and buspirone with appropriate dose titration. Post-discharge from the hospital, no improvement was observed in the patient's RP at an outpatient follow-up performed within a month. The development of RP following MPH treatment and its persistence after stopping MPH is a fascinating event. Clinicians should be aware of the potential rare side effects of stimulants and stimulant-like medications, including vascular, hematological, and dermatological effects. Adolescents with ADHD may be particularly distressed by the COVID-19 pandemic and display increased behavioral issues. Stress can be a trigger for RP; therefore, minimizing stress in at-risk patients is essential.