Symptoms included "auditory hallucinations" and "bizarre delusions"

1. 02/10/2019, 1(34 PMFirst case of ‘Brexit psychosisʼ diagnosed in the UK – POLITICO
Page 1 of 2https://www.politico.eu/pro/brexit-psychosis-diagnosed-in-the-uk/
First case of ‘Brexit psychosisʼ
diagnosed in the UK
Symptoms included ‘auditory hallucinationsʼ and
‘bizarre delusions.ʼ
Louise Guillot 10/2/19, 12@09 PM CET
A row of Union flags and banners displayed by Pro-Brexit campaigners are reflected in a puddle outside the
Houses of Parliament | Leon Neal/Getty Images
Doctors in the U.K. have identified the first case of "Brexit psychosis,"
according to a report in the British Medical Journal.
In summer 2016, three weeks after EU referendum, a 40-year-old man was
admitted to hospital after his mental health had deteriorated rapidly
following the announcement of the results, "with significant concerns about

2. 02/10/2019, 1(34 PMFirst case of ‘Brexit psychosisʼ diagnosed in the UK – POLITICO
Page 2 of 2https://www.politico.eu/pro/brexit-psychosis-diagnosed-in-the-uk/
Brexit," the report states.
"He had auditory hallucinations, and paranoid, referential, misidentification
and bizarre delusions," Dr. Mohammad Zia Ul Haq Katshul from the Institute
of Mental Health of the University of Nottingham, who treated the man,
writes. After the Brexit vote, he "found it difficult to reconcile with the
political events happening around him. He became increasingly worried
about racial incidents." The man also said he "felt ashamed to be British ... I
am in a constituency that reflects an opinion that is not for me."
"Political events can act as major psychological stressors and have a
significant impact on the mental health of people, especially those with a
predisposition to develop mental illness," Dr. Haq says.
The report does state however, that the man had experienced a similar
episode 13 years previously after major work-related stress. He was also
experiencing work and family-related stress before the "Brexit psychosis"
episode, "which could potentially have been a contributory factor."
According to Dr. Haq, the patient recovered in two weeks after being treated
with olanzapine, an antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar
disorder.
Authors: