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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVaccine eligibility for mood disorders underscores elevated covid risk
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added mood disorders to the list of conditions that put people at high risk for severe covid-19 recently, clinicians were not surprised. The mind-body connection, they say, is long-settled research.
But the scientific seal of approval is still critical: It makes millions of people eligible for booster shots based on their mental health diagnosis alone and gives vulnerable groups more reason to protect themselves.
This is a population that is really, really at risk due to the way that covid-19 interacts with the diagnoses, said Lisa Dailey, executive director of the Treatment Advocacy Center. Until the CDC put this group of disorders on their list, they would not have known that.
The CDC on Oct. 14 added mental health conditions to a long list of mostly physical conditions that make someone likely to be hospitalized, need a ventilator or die of the coronavirus, including cancer, diabetes and obesity.
The change means it is important for people with mood disorders, including depression, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders to get vaccinated with initial doses and boosters and take preventive measures, such as masking, social distancing and hand-washing, according to the CDC.
Clinicians have known that COVID can cause mental illness so there is a connection. But this is a new motivation for people to get booster shots. Depression is very common and often got worse for folks during the pandemic isolation.
Rorey
(8,445 posts)Last year in the beginning of the pandemic, there were many on this board who had a difficult time coping with the isolation and the different way we had to live.
We're going to feel the effects of this pandemic long after the danger of infection is eased (if that ever happens, that is).
stillcool
(32,626 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)I wonder if the reasoning is organic or behavioral?
IronLionZion
(45,438 posts)they don't know for sure why, but one common theory is mental illness can weaken a person's overall immunity and general health. COVID hit patients in psychiatric hospitals pretty hard.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)So sad. Glad these diagnoses are included for booster qualification!
lagomorph777
(30,613 posts)Such a load of BS.
IronLionZion
(45,438 posts)they don't ask questions there if you want a booster badly enough.
appalachiablue
(41,131 posts)I cross posted it in the Heath section. Also added to an LBN article today on the possible benefits of the drug fluvoxamine in preventing hospitalization for Covid.