By "during covid", I guess you mean while isolating in lock down ? I'd be more inclined to suggest it was the isolation, loneliness and stress of uncertainty t

By "during covid", I guess you mean while isolating in lock down ? I'd be more inclined to suggest it was the isolation, loneliness and stress of uncertainty that would trigger something like that. It was a dark time. Curious if your friend started meditation hoping it might alleviate and already uncomfortable mental state, or they felt fine and just wanted to meditate for fun ? I'm not a doctor, or psychiatrist but from the exposure I've had from my own practice, I'd imagine taking up anything other than a very, very, very light meditation course during such a stressful uncertain time could really expose one too a bit too much sensory overload.