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Note that the tests involved here are objective. The skin biopsy is especially objective and cannot be explained away as psychosomatic. Reduced nerve density as

Note that the tests involved here are objective. The skin biopsy is especially objective and cannot be explained away as psychosomatic. Reduced nerve density as measured by a technician viewing your biopsy through a microscope is about it as objective as it gets. These measures are also standard tests that have been in use long before COVID existed, so we have a substantial catalog of baseline results by age and demographic to compare against. As this topic gets more attention it’s going to be increasingly important to emphasize the objective measures and damage that is being found. I’m already seeing public opinion lean toward doubt and dismissal when Long COVID comes up.

DantesKite 5y ago
Agreed. It’s common for doctors to be skeptical of patients if there’s no test that proves the condition they have, even though absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence. It’s a sign for inquiry at least until certain causes can be ruled out for the still suffering patient; not just lazily diagnosing them with anxiety as doctors are sometimes apt to do. By creating tests, it gives both doctor and patients the ability to move forward to create incentives for the medical industry to solve these problems. The former so they’re not penalized for questioning the status quo. The latter so they have their concerns properly addressed. Very important work.
giantg2 5y ago
"The skin biopsy is especially objective and cannot be explained away as psychosomatic." Just to point out, by definition psychosomatic illnesses result in physical (soma) changes that would still be observable in an objective measure. An example would be longterm depression restructuring the brain or suppressing the immune system. So the change has been objectively observed. The mechanism causing it would still need to be determined to classify it as strictly physical or psychosomatic, although it does rule it out as being strictly psychological.
- PragmaticPulp 5y ago
  I suppose some people will find ways to dismiss anything, but the idea that small fiber neuropathy could objectively occur in multiple patients due to psychosomatic illness when it has never been observed in any other mental health issue should be enough to dismiss the idea entirely.
  - giantg2 5y ago
    Should we also dismiss the idea that longterm depression restructures the brain or suppresses the immune system just because it hasn't been found in other mental health issues? Just because something hasn't been found elsewhere doesn't mean it should be casually linked. We need to see the underlying mechanism.

DantesKite 5y ago

Agreed. It’s common for doctors to be skeptical of patients if there’s no test that proves the condition they have, even though absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence of absence. It’s a sign for inquiry at least until certain causes can be ruled out for the still suffering patient; not just lazily diagnosing them with anxiety as doctors are sometimes apt to do. By creating tests, it gives both doctor and patients the ability to move forward to create incentives for the medical industry to solve these problems. The former so they’re not penalized for questioning the status quo. The latter so they have their concerns properly addressed. Very important work.

giantg2 5y ago

"The skin biopsy is especially objective and cannot be explained away as psychosomatic." Just to point out, by definition psychosomatic illnesses result in physical (soma) changes that would still be observable in an objective measure. An example would be longterm depression restructuring the brain or suppressing the immune system. So the change has been objectively observed. The mechanism causing it would still need to be determined to classify it as strictly physical or psychosomatic, although it does rule it out as being strictly psychological.

PragmaticPulp 5y ago
I suppose some people will find ways to dismiss anything, but the idea that small fiber neuropathy could objectively occur in multiple patients due to psychosomatic illness when it has never been observed in any other mental health issue should be enough to dismiss the idea entirely.
- giantg2 5y ago
  Should we also dismiss the idea that longterm depression restructures the brain or suppresses the immune system just because it hasn't been found in other mental health issues? Just because something hasn't been found elsewhere doesn't mean it should be casually linked. We need to see the underlying mechanism.