Kleine-Levin Syndrome in a Young Woman Triggered in Travel: A Case Report From Iran in COVID-19 Arena

Document Type : Case Report

Authors

1 Department of Psychiatry, Research Center of Addiction and Behavioral Sciences, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

2 Diabetes Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

3 Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

4 Occupational Sleep Research Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

5 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran

10.34172/ijtmgh.2022.07

Abstract

Introduction: Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare disorder often associated with recurrent hypersomnia, first described by Klein in 1925 but named in 1942 by Critchley and Hoffman. KLS is more common in adolescence and is also more common in men than women. It must be distinguished from repetitive depressive disorder, or psychotic disorder.
Case Presentation: In this report, we present a 27-year-old woman with KLS who showed symptoms such as overeating and mood changes, unwillingness to talk to anyone, and a sedentary lifestyle. Meanwhile, during these periods, other symptoms such as lack of speech, decreased energy, lethargy, and slowness of mental and mood movements were observed in the patient. Eventually, with lithium consumption, her symptoms improve significantly. However, the exact cause of this syndrome and its definitive treatment is still unknown and will require further reports and studies.
Conclusion: According to the reported case, KLS may be triggered by travel and migration, and in such a situation, may respond well to lithium.

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