When Sarah, a 52-year-old mother, contracted Covid-19, she expected a tough flu-like battle. Instead, she was plunged into a terrifying reality where rainbows danced before her eyes and she could no longer recognise her own daughter.
Her story is a chilling account of a rare but devastating neurological side effect of the virus that stole her memory and fractured her sense of self.
A Descent Into Confusion
What began as a standard Covid infection rapidly spiralled into something far more sinister. "I started seeing rainbows at the side of my eyes," Sarah recalls. The vibrant, disorienting halos were the first sign that the virus was attacking more than just her respiratory system.
The real horror began when her husband found her utterly confused, unable to comprehend her surroundings. Rushed to University Hospital Southampton, her condition deteriorated at an alarming pace. She developed psychosis, a severe mental state where her perception of reality was completely distorted.
The Heartbreaking Moment She Didn't Know Her Family
The most crushing blow for her family came during a video call from the hospital. Sarah stared blankly at the screen, her eyes glazed over with confusion. "She didn't have a clue who we were," her daughter, Molly, recounted, the pain still fresh in her voice. This profound memory loss and disorientation lasted for five agonising days.
Medical professionals identified her condition as Covid-induced psychosis, a rare neurological complication where the body's extreme inflammatory response to the virus impacts the brain.
The Long Road Back
Sarah's recovery was neither quick nor easy. Discharged from the ICU, she faced a gruelling rehabilitation process. Simple tasks were monumental challenges. "I had to learn to walk again... I couldn't even hold a knife and fork," she said.
Her short-term memory was severely impaired. She would forget conversations minutes after they happened and needed constant reminders. The psychological trauma left its mark too, manifesting as intense anxiety and a fear of being alone.
A Warning and A Thank You
Now, after a long and ongoing recovery, Sarah is sharing her story to raise awareness. Her experience is a stark warning that Covid-19 can be far more than a respiratory illness, with potential consequences that can shatter lives long after the initial infection has passed.
She also directs immense gratitude towards the NHS staff at University Hospital Southampton, whom she credits with saving her life. "The care I received was phenomenal," she stated, highlighting the critical role of the healthcare system in her journey back from the brink.
