‘Snow globe syndrome’ drove ‘brilliant’ dad-of-two, 47, to suicide after Covid
A “BRILLIANT and loving” dad died after suffering a rare condition that destroyed his mental health after Covid, an inquest head.
Ian Price, 47, from Chester, tragically died by suicide in August last year after suffering visual snow syndrome, Warrington Coroner’s Court was told.
He was infected with Covid in January and suffered symptoms of the virus, his wife Lisa said.
Ian was struck down with shingles and began feeling “extreme anxiety” after having issues with his eyesight called ‘visual snow syndrome’.
The neurological disorder slowly tore away at his mental health, resulting in two suicide attempts in May before his death three months later, according to the Chester Standard.
Speaking at the inquest, Lisa said: “I sensed I was losing my grasp on him. It was pulling him down stronger than I could keep him above water.”
Visual snow syndrome is a type of disorder that causes people to see static or feel like they’re viewing the world through a snow globe.
It is thought to affect around 2 to 3 per cent of people around the world.
Symptoms also include seeing objects trailing after an image is gone, being sensitive to light and having difficulty seeing at night.
The syndrome can also cause ringing or buzzing in your ears, anxiety, depression and irritability, brain fog, confusion, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.
Frequent migraines, feeling dizzy, nausea, feeling like you’re not connected to yourself and vertigo are also other symptoms.
Experts aren’t sure what causes it exactly but believe it may be linked to parts of the brain becoming hyperactive.
Ian’s symptoms started after he contracted Covid, which has been linked to long-term issues with mental health.
He was hospitalised after the first attempt on his life on May 8 and discharged after a mental health team spoke with him, the inquest heard.
It is nothing short of tragic that such a brilliant man died in such tragic circumstances
Sarah Murphy
The father-of-two was admitted again to Aintree Hospital on May 18 after a second attempt, where he was diagnosed with depression and sent home.
He and Lisa started to listen to self-help books and practice meditation, mindfulness and art therapy to improve his mental health.
Walking also helped improve his symptoms but a glut of work as a freelance graphic designer also contributed to worsening moods and suicide notes were found on his computer, the inquest heard.
He left home at 11.20am on August 18 saying he was going for a run, but Lisa had a “feeling something had happened”.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF VISUAL SNOW SYNDROME?
Visual snow syndrome may include visual symptoms, like:
- Seeing “snow” or “static” everywhere you look whether your eyes are open or closed. Seeing the dotted images with closed or open eyes is another unique feature of visual snow syndrome
- Seeing objects trailing after the actual image is gone. This is called palinopsia
- Being sensitive to light (photophobia)
- Having difficulties seeing at night (nyctalopia)
- Seeing images within your eye (entoptic phenomena), like when you see lights even when your eyes are closed
If you have visual snow syndrome, you may also experience:
- Ringing or buzzing in your ears, known as tinnitus
- Feeling anxious, depressed or irritable
- Having difficulty concentrating, or feeling confused or like you have brain fog
- Having trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Frequent migraines with aura (separate from your visual symptoms)
- Feeling dizzy or like you might vomit
- Feeling like you’re not really connected to yourself (depersonaliSation)
- Having vertigo
Source: Cleveland Clinic
After she got no response from his mobile and neighbours and friends were unable to find him, the police were informed.
His body was found the following day after an urgent public appeal was launched and officers joined the search.
Sarah Murphy, assistant coroner for Cheshire, said: “It is nothing short of tragic that such a brilliant man died in such tragic circumstances.
“I hope his family can pull together and move forward, as I have no doubt whatsoever that is what he would have wanted.”
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123