Corticosteroid-induced neuropsychiatric effects: A rare case of persistent bipolar disorder

Corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for various medical conditions, but their neuropsychiatric side effects are significant and often overlooked. These side effects can occur at any point during treatment and can range from mild to severe, and the prognosis is often excellent. We present the case of a 49-year-old woman who received a single course of corticosteroids for the treatment of plantar fasciitis. Shortly after, she became manic with psychotic symptoms and, soon after, experienced a severe depressive episode that required hospitalization. Despite discontinuation of the corticosteroids, she went on to have another manic episode. This case appears to represent a rare instance of persistent bipolar disorder following a manic episode triggered by exogenous steroid administration. There is no consensus on the risk factors for these severe complications or on guidelines for management. We aim to present this rare clinical case while reviewing the available literature on the topic.