Life

First reported case of Brexit-triggered psychosis presented by doctor

The male patient's mental health 'deteriorated rapidly' after the results of the EU referendum in 2016
The male patient's mental health 'deteriorated rapidly' after the results of the EU referendum in 2016 The male patient's mental health 'deteriorated rapidly' after the results of the EU referendum in 2016

A DOCTOR has warned that political upheaval can take a serious toll on mental health as he revealed details of the first reported case of Brexit-triggered psychosis.

The male patient, in his 40s, suffered hallucinations and delusions when his mental health "deteriorated rapidly" shortly after the results of the EU referendum in 2016.

He also became increasingly worried about racial incidents and, after being admitted to a psychiatric ward, said he felt ashamed to be British.

Dr Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshu, who treated the patient, wrote: "His wife reported that since the EU referendum results were declared on June 24 2016, he started spending more time putting his thoughts across on social media.

"He found it difficult to reconcile with the political events happening around him."

Once admitted, the unnamed patient was described as agitated, attempting to "burrow" through the hospital floor with his hands to "get the hell out of this place".

He believed he was being spied on and that talks on the radio were directed at him.

He later said: "I was looking at the electoral map of voting for the EU. I am in a constituency that reflects an opinion that is not for me."

Dr Katshu warned that political events can act as "major psychological stressors" in the article published in BMJ Case Reports.

He added: "[The patient] presented as agitated, confused and thought disordered. He had auditory hallucinations, and paranoid, referential, misidentification and bizarre delusions."

The man also reported experiencing family pressures and it is possible these and work-related stress also contributed to his illness.

He was diagnosed with acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorder, a category of acute and transient psychotic disorder – the first case believed to have been triggered by Brexit.

He recovered completely within a fortnight after a brief admission and treatment with olanzapine, an anti-psychotic.

Jemma Crew (PA)