#how much does a clinical research associate make

[merrysithmas]

• the batshit lack of scientific literacy which leads people to not comprehend basic true things like:

biology (trans people are real, gender & sex are a spectrum in every species, this is biological fact). AMA American Medical Association supports this. gender norms are social depending on time period & culture

vaccines (viruses & bacteria exist and we know how to treat them). one of the safest & most effective forms of medicine that exists.

masks work (see above) because they protect against against certain sizes of particles or droplets which can transmit disease

climate - if you dump hot sewage into a lake it becomes polluted & the temp increases. pretend the sky is a big lake and everyone's CO2 is sewage.

antibiotics - stop taking them bc you have the sniffles, you are increasing antibiotic resistance & that is dangerous for the whole community/world. if you have a fever or purulent discharge ANYWHERE, that is the time to go to the clinic for eval. antibiotics DO NOT WORK against VIRUSES or ALLERGIES. Anti-biotic means anti-bacteria. second, you cannot take ANY rando antibiotic for a UTI. every UTI is different and can be caused by a diff bacteria, meaning you will make it worse if you take the wrong antibiotic/increase your resistance to that antibiotic. you HAVE to take your antibiotic in the time it says on the label AND the full course, this is rigorously designed to decrease antibiotic resistance by making sure the bacteria does not replicate in your body enough to overcome the antibiotic in the time it takes for that SPECIFIC ANTIBIOTIC to be metabolized (it involves MATH based on TYPE OF BACTERIA treated - gram pos or gram neg)

essential oils - many essential oils and natural medicinals do work (in context and to a degree)! stop shitting on people who use them you just alienate them from medicine. there is a time for natural cures and a time for acute cures (antibiotics, broken bones, vaccines, cancer treatment or surgery, preventative med scans etc). there are LOTS of schools of medicine - allopathic (Western), TCM, Ayurveda, Quantum medicine, energetic medicine, herbal medicine. All of these have credible research supporting them. Integrative medicine (combining them all) is the future

flouride - it is not poisoning you and it's good for you if you live in a country where it is highly regulated (FDA does regulate, ADA approved and endorses)

the weather - it is not possible with our current technology to control the weather to the degree of hurricanes, blizzards, floods. if it was, someone would have done it and we'd all be dead. cloud seeding is an example of a weather tech that does exist & it's an example of this bc it causes increased respiratory illness where it is done.

clean energy - the only reason we dont have it or highspeed worldwiderail or a highspeed universal translator is... obvious. because those are very much attainable with current tech. we also have buildings with rooftops and free sunlight. free. sunlight. free. energy.

AI - it needs regulation & laws on image/text/audio recording, artistic theft, and data gathering. Right now all it does is steal data & give misinformation. It COULD be used for good (medical imaging assistance) but overwhelmingly is not right now.

things we need to address:

gen z men getting pulled into alt-right pipelines through andrew tate, joe rogan, elon musk, jordan peterson etc

the gullibility and stupidity of half the country voting against our collective best interests

the broad effect social media has on public and common good

lazy minds and lack of empathy

outside-country interference (trump and elon’s connections to russia and the amount of bots from other countries spreading misinformation)

the long-term effects of AI and rampant disinformation

[nanamiscocksleeve]

Natural Breeding Clinic - Prologue

warnings: MDNI, breeding kinks, general sex, mention of infertility and insemination methods

a/n: It's here. Finally.

Teaser - Prologue - Patient 1

You take a deep breath and sit down in front of the laptop, waiting for the other person to join the call. Never in your life had you heard about such a unique reproductive center but lately, you’d been feeling the pull to start your own family. You’d discussed this with relevant people in your life. Everyone had said if you really wanted a child, then you should go with the options you thought were right for you.

You’d done the research, looking into different doctors and fertility clinics, but this one just stood out. There were testimonials from several happy families, saying their methods, though unconventional, were effective, and the doctors showcased on the website were all incredibly striking, each one handsome in their own way. But it was the success rate that caught your eye. A 98% guaranteed rate that you would be pregnant, and that pregnancy would be healthy. The site didn’t go into too much detail on their method, but the wording caught your eye.

“A natural breeding clinic” they’d called themselves. You’d finally bitten the bullet and called, requesting an information session. The screen suddenly lightens and you focus your attention as an attractive woman with shoulder-length brown hair comes into view. She smiles in a welcoming way before speaking.

“Hello. Am I speaking with Mrs. L/n?” You nod and smile back, trying not to look awkward or uncomfortable. 

“Perfect! My name is Shoko Ieiri, I’m the main coordinating nurse here at Jujutsu Fertility. Thank you for scheduling an information session with us.”

“Yes, of course. I just needed more details before I booked an appointment.”

“Indeed.” Shoko claps her hands together before continuing. “Let me start by telling you a little bit about ourselves. We’ve been around for almost 6 years now. What sets us apart is that we focus more on women’s comfort than most other clinics. And we are sought out by people who are willing to use a sperm donor. We do not perform insemination services with sperm that are not from our own stock.”

“Your own stock? Are you associated with a sperm bank? And screen all the donors yourself?”

“Not a sperm bank in the conventional sense. We have 5 doctors who keep excellent health and their sperm is regularly screened to ensure quality. They are the only stock we allow for insemination.”

You blink to make sure you haven’t misheard. “The…doctors? Are you saying the fertility doctor I’d be meeting with will also be my sperm donor?”

“That is correct.” Shoko nods her head to confirm. “You will be meeting with the doctor of your choosing for at least 5 sessions. They will need to be at least once a week. Some women take the week off and come in 5 days straight.”

“5…sessions?” you ask, confused by the wording.

“Yes. It’s to ensure the insemination process has occurred an optimal number of times.”

“Wait…so…I’m going to be inseminated multiple times? How much downtime do I need in between each insemination?”

“Hardly any. Our method isn’t like a typical clinic. Most women leave feeling very normal and a lot more satisfied than when they came in.”

“Not like a typical clinic? So…you don’t use the catheter method?”

“We use minimal medical equipment in our inseminations.”

“Minimal…so what does the procedure entail?”

Shoko clears her throat and continues. “So it begins with you choosing one of our doctors. We highly recommend spending some time on this part. It’s essential that you feel attraction towards your doctor. Once you make a choice, they will reach out to discuss how your insemination experience can be optimized for you. You will receive a biodata on their sexual profile, their preferred methods of arousal, and other relevant details.”

“I’m sorry, but what?” You are at the edge of your seat wondering if you’ve entered an alternate dimension. Surely, this was all being made up? “Arousal, sexual profile- why would I need all these details? I thought sperm donors only gave information like height, weight, medical history and stuff like that.”

“Why wouldn’t they? You’re choosing to be bred by them. They would have to make sure their patient is satisfied with the experience.”

“Bred?” You bleat the word stupidly.

“Yes. We are a natural breeding clinic. We use the method nature has provided to us to ensure a pregnancy.”

The gears in your brain start turning and something finally clicks.

“Are-are you saying…I would be having sex with my doctor?”

“That is correct.” Shoko smiles gently at you, pleased that you have finally caught on.

“The human body doesn’t necessarily enjoy having medical equipment inserted into it. All that cold plastic, and the mechanical methods of insertion. It puts the body in a state of stress. Not good for implantation. So our doctors will inseminate you through the process of intercourse.”

 Her words fall like a fog around you. You can feel your heart racing, a flush creeping into your cheeks. It was…insane. The doctor of your choosing was essentially going to fuck a baby into you. As your mind starts pulling up the images of their doctors, each one impossibly handsome and striking, you feel a familiar throb starting between your legs. Wetting your lips, you try to talk to continue with the information session.

“I see. And…there are benefits to this?”

“Yes. Intercourse allows the body to relax, releasing happy hormones. In this stress-free state, in addition to the knowledge that your doctor is someone you’re attracted to and trust, the chance of an implantation doubles.”

You gape at Shoko, your mind reeling from all the information.

“And…when you say the insemination process will be optimized for my best experience…?”

“The doctor you choose will ask you extensive questions about your preferences. What turns you on, positions, dislikes, toys. It’s to determine if they will satisfy your breeding experience. If they feel they might not be a good fit, they’ll recommend another one of our doctors.”

You swallow, your mouth going dry. “I see. And…what else do I need to know?”

“We will start by collecting your medical history and run some blood work to make sure your body is ready for an insemination process. Women who have a domestic partner will need to get both a waiver and a consent form signed by their partner that they have been informed what happens for the insemination.”

“Of course. Makes sense.”

“You will be assigned an emotional support companion during this process. It will either be myself or Mr. Ijichi Kiyotaka. We are there to help ease your nerves and ensure you enjoy the process. And all patients must think of a unique safeword to use during the insemination process.”

“Safeword?” you parrot back, still processing.

“Yes. At any point during the process, should you feel uncomfortable, your safeword ensures all actions cease and your doctor will give you some space to breathe and reassess the situation.”

All you can do is nod along. Shoko gives you a look of reassurance. “I can guarantee that most women are pleased with the results. And our doctors are quite skilled in what they do. It’s natural to feel a little shy and embarrassed but at the end of the day, we all share a common goal- a healthy baby.”

Despite your initial shock, you feel some of your trepidation fade away. Shoko continues.

“If you are ok with all of this, I can send you the forms to get the process started. Once those are filled, you can take some time to decide on your doctor. Then we’ll set up a call with them.”

“Thank you.” You make a split-second decision. “Please go ahead and send the forms.”

“Excellent. I’ll send them to the email you put in your inquiry. Was there anything else?”

You shake your head no. “I think I have all I need.”

“Great! I look forward to assisting you again.” Shoko ends the call and you immediately go the the website again to look at the doctors, one of which will end up fathering your child. Such a hard decision. How will you ever make the choice?

@thesunxwentblack @kentocalls @actuallysaiyan

@belle-oftheball34 @jesssicapaniagua

@figmentforms

© nanamiscocksleeve original work | no copying, plagiarizing or translating

[star-anise]

So I've been watching this series of videos where a research-focused psychologist goes through Jordan Peterson's work to see which of his ideas and arguments are based on solid empirical evidence. I love it, even though she does mistakenly say his background is in counselling psychology (my field) when he's actually a clinical psychologist.

Anyway, that's got me thinking about Jordan Peterson, and how his response to criticism is, "People have been after me for a long time because I’ve been speaking to disaffected young men — what a terrible thing to do, that is. [...] I thought the marginalized were supposed to have a voice.”

So, here's my theory: Young men of the 21st century have grown up in a culture that is specifically hostile and punitive towards them. However, I think that while girls and women can participate in this culture, it is as much or more the work of boys and men. And I think that the problem with Peterson is that he's not particularly good at helping his audience escape the maze they are trapped in--and he's absolutely opposed to any attempt to dismantle a maze that is actually of fairly recent manufacture.

Case in point: The metrosexual.

The word "metrosexual" was coined in 1994 by Mark Simpson, a gay writer whose settings seem to be perpetually fixed at "critique the shit out of it".

"Metrosexual" describes heterosexual men who might be mistaken as gay, because they are interested in things very common among gay men, including: Caring about whether they're attractive; caring about how their hair is cut and what products they use in it; caring about what clothes they wear; working out to make their bodies look better; frequenting nightclubs. To be "metrosexual" was, in some people's opinions, to be a "man-boy" searching for his "inner girl".

To be metrosexual was, in some ways, to be called someone who looked gay.

The term didn't really catch on until the early 2000s, when media became briefly obsessed with talking about which celebrities were "metrosexual" or not. In that era of hotly divided opinions over the acceptability of homosexuality and queerness, it was implicitly asking, "Who looks gay? Is he gay? Tell me, fellow broadcaster: How gay does this guy look to you?"

(They got to have their cake and eat it too. A liberal audience, desperate to gather as many LGBTQ+ people and allies as possible in their race for 50% acceptance of gay marriage, cherished any signs that people with social clout might be on their side. And a conservative one, watching the same discussion, would heartily enjoy seeing a rogues' gallery of degenerate Hollywood types paraded before them, their every effeminacy pointed out in loving detail.)

Which of course got us: The Retrosexual!

When everybody's helpfully compiling lists of all the things a man can do that look gay or unmanly, dudes who don't want to get the shit kicked out of them by homophobes know all the things not to do!

Therefore, being "manly" became strictly defined by what was off-limits. To be a Real Man meant you shouldn't care about whether you're attractive, or what soap you use, or how your hair is styled. You shouldn't enjoy dancing or get too enthusiastic about music. A Real Man cares about sports and beer and being on top! Dominant!! A WINNER!!!

And, so like, here's a secret: In Anglophone culture, we are very affected by the Puritan legacy that says pleasure is inherently sinful. Vanity and pride--caring about how you look and whether you're attractive--are literal gateways to the Devil. Gluttony, and therefore seeking pleasure at all, is another such. And in Puritan religious theology, women are inherently more sinful. Yes, it goes back to Adam and Eve, and how Eve was tempted into sin first. Long story short, things associated with women became associated with sinfulness, and sinfulness became associated with effeminacy. And for centuries, you haven't even needed to be religious to drink these attitudes from the groundwater.

Okay, that's not the secret, this is the secret: Pleasure is not inherently sinful.

And liking how you look and feeling attractive and paying attention to your sensuality and your emotional life and connecting with art in a real and vulnerable way can feel really good, if you're able to handle it well.

Being raised to be a Real Man in a world where masculinity is perceived to be actively under threat is so uniquely painful, I believe, because every attempt to define yourself as "not gay" means denying yourself one of life's pleasures, and telling yourself you never even wanted it in the first place.

And then those desperate to be Real Men found a way to take some of those things back in what is surely the most painful context possible: They are allowed strictly as tools of your heterosexuality and masculine need for dominance. You are allowed to care about grooming and dancing, etc, purely as a strategy in playing a game called "Getting Girls", where you either score or you don't, where not scoring means you're worthless and unlovable, and scoring is often... strangely unfulfilling and certainly not enough to fill the aching void inside of you.

The mistake both Peterson and his fanbase make is that they get to this point, and then think: The reason I feel so empty inside is... I just haven't gotten enough girls!

Maybe some guys get out of the maze by finding a woman who is allowed to care about things like affection and love and dancing and looking nice, and their connection with her lets them express all the other parts of their souls that didn't fit in the Real Man box, but can come out in roles like Boyfriend or Father.

But humans aren't telepathic, so relationships can only "fix" you so much as you're willing to do the work of nurturing your own soul in a safe environment, so for a lot of men the maze never ends, and sometimes they don't even get the fleeting joys of relationships or sex, since they're so fucked up about them!

At this point, I as a queer woman am like, "Solution's obvious! Dismantle the maze."

And Peterson, who has worked his whole life to achieve the status of Best Maze-Runner in All of Christendom, is clinging to it like, "NO! DOWN, YOU DARK CHAOTIC MOTHER! THIS MAZE GIVES MY LIFE MEANING! THIS MAZE CONNECTS ME TO MY FOREFATHERS! I CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THIS MAZE!"

At which point, like... what can you do but just leave him there?

At least he's not in my area of specialization. The world would be too unkind if I had to deal with him in any professional capacity. I wish Clinical Psychology all their continued joy of him.

[scintillyyy]

okay i'm gonna do it. i'm gonna talk about boarding school syndrome.

alright so obviously the reason this has come to my attention is because i'm more frequently seeing the concept in association with tim, so of course i wanted to do my own look into it to see if i agreed. because tbh everything i was seeing about boarding school syndrome as a concept felt very similar to a lot of things you see in parenting science stuff--where new theories are presented as science based absolute fact despite the fact that the actual evidence therein leaves a bit to be desired and the research isn't actually super robust & does a bit of twisting of other research to suit their needs & has not really shown it's replicable outside of the people who are pushing their theory in particular.

and this is not to say that boarding school doesn't exist or boarding school doesn't cause harm to kids at all, those things can be very true. but i also would like to point out how and why you should be looking at sweeping claims of it critically, even if you do agree with the theory and the findings themselves.

so, my first quick purview into boarding school syndrome shows that most of what you immediately get about it upon looking it up is from therapy clinics themselves about all the negative things that boarding school definitely causes. which, isn't inherently bad, but you should always keep in mind that whenever it's a website for a clinic--they're very much trying to sell you the need for their services & you should always take into account that bias. one of the clinics did have a list of references for boarding school syndrome, so i decided to check these out.

one is a link to john bowlby's initial theory of attachment and the idea that separation itself is traumatic for kids. however this is where we start to see some twisting of exisiting research to suit one's needs--bowlby himself was focused on wartime orphans and traumatic separation as a result which people nowadays do like to extrapolate his findings into any sort of separation, even nontraumatic, for funsies.

one of the sources was a link to the website of the woman who coined boarding school syndrome, not actual research

one of the sources for the evils of boarding school was a random blog post

one was a general paper on dissociation but nothing to do with boarding school in particular causing it

one was a news article from a man who is also a big name in the concept and who also happens to have had a traumatic boarding school experience himself

one appears to be a book or opinion article from, again, the woman who coined boarding school syndrome as a thing

i can't say i'm super impressed thus far, as there's a lot of pretty serious and sweeping claims being made and no signficant robust evidence across several nonbiased sources to back them up. frankly, it kind of reminds me of the packets you get in baby friendly hospitals that say if you feed your kids formula they'll be fat, get depression, get cancer, and kill themselves. if you're going to make sweeping assertions of this magnitude, you gotta be able to back it up with good evidence.

anyways, this brings me to the main players in the idea of boarding school syndrome. the one who coined it, joy schaverien, and nick duffell. schaverien appears to have conceived the theory due to seeing what she felt was a strong correlation in her specific patient population having gone to boarding school with having issues as an adult and began to attribute said difficulties to boarding school. nick duffell wrote a book about it, his evidence was his own traumatic experiences and traumatic experiences of famous people who attended boarding school. and not that those experiences aren't important or valid or awful, they very much were. the limitation lies in whether you can extrapolate those specific experiences of abusive boarding into whether or not nonabusive boarding school in general is in and of itself harmful as a concept. and, well. obviously hearing from these sources about harms is good and important, but we do have to keep in mind that they are human and have biases. they also derive a lot of their anecdotal evidence from explicitly abusive boarding situations back in the past and then appear to attribute the issues that result from the attending boarding school portion vs the abuse portion and then apply it to current boarding school as evil as a whole. they are making a suggestion that boarding separation is traumatic, no able to definitively say it is traumatic. anyways. i'm just saying, these two are going to want to prove themselves right. just like the wonder weeks guy. and hey, they can be biased and correct. that's always a possibility. in that case, we would be able to see significant replicable findings in similar research, that boarding school is bad for all kids. so can we?

well. i'll be honest. from my cursory perusing, as a whole research into boarding school is limited, and the studies themselves are largely weak--be it sample size, failure to account for confounding variables, tending to be survey based which will likely give you a biased sample pool to begin with. but still, evidence can be evidence. so does the evidence largely show that boarding school is evil and kids suffer just going to it and it will cause kids to have all sorts of terrible issues into adulthood? it's decidedly.....mixed. some studies show some signficant increases in things like depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders. others show that there's really not a whole lot of difference between boarders and nonboarders when it comes to attachment, others show minimal difference in emotional issues, some studies even indicate boarders report getting along with their parents better than nonboarders or at the very least, no significant differences between boarders and non boarders in their relationships with peers or adults, or boarding school potentially having better outcomes in comparison to unstable home situations. but these studies have limitations of their own--tending to research just older children vs younger children, where studies have shown that younger children may have slightly worse effects going earlier or being limited to one specific type of boarding school situation that may not be able to truly capture what a totally different boarding environment would be like. there's also limitations in whether or not some of the issues of boarding nowadays (such as not being able to contact parents or feeling like you can't leave the situation/you're stuck there) are truly as significant when compared to nonboarders with today's technology (easy ability to contact parents at any time, nonboarders also being followed home with bad school situations due to social media/unable to disconnect). the research is limited there.

so, what is boils down to--listen i do think that boarding school definitely has negatives & can be harmful. whether or not we can expect a nonabusive (or fictional, and therefore most likely nonabusive) boarding schools to cause as many or as signficant of those kinds of issues is genuinely up in the air and not settled by any means & the sweeping assertations of boarding school syndrome and it's purported ill effects aren't necessarily super backed up by evidence at this time, a lot of it is conjecture and hypotheses. doesn't mean it's untrue, but it's also attributing to boarding schools things that very well could have been caused by other negative abusive practices, or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. the correlation is there, but you can't significantly attribute causation when there are other significant confounding factors. we really haven't been able to answer that in the absence of those things if boarding school will really ruin your attachment forever and give you psychological problems as compared to regular schooling.

because idk. as i was perusing through this topic, i found there were several assertions that i felt had a lot of unanswered questions as far as possible causation:

claims as far as sending your children away to boarding school ruins attachment: how do we know this? do we know that these kids were previously securely attachment and their attachment style changed upon being sent to boarding school? you can't know unless you somehow manage to measure attachment before and after to show that it truly damages it. you'd also have to account for other possible factors--was their bullying or some form of abuse. can you prove it was the school itself vs the harms there. can you compare this to a non abusive boarding school environment and see if attachment still gets altered as a result. is the change in attachment different from traditional schooling if abuses occur there as well?

speaking of attachment, is there at all a correlation of nonsecurity prior to attendance--are non secure adult parents more likely to send their non secure children to boarding school than secure ones? is there at all a difference in child outcome based on whether they are prior securely attached children or not. you can't know that a child was securely attached based only on if they liked their parents or not--and also, the relationship souring as a result doesn't necessarily mean that attachment has changes. does previous security provide a protective effect against possible harms from parental separation. does nonsecurity even before attendance at school contribute to the negative outcomes from the separation at all.

idk. i feel like there's definite evidenence of negatives but also, as with parenting science in general the evidence is not so wholly negative it becomes a situation where there is a definitive right or wrong answer. as with all things there are pros and cons that must be weighed for individual situations.

[sophieinwonderland]

Dealing With More Anti-Endos Invading Endogenic Spaces! This Time With a Dash of r/Systemscringe

This is just a straight-up lie.

While @thelunastusco did identify as endogenic at one point, that was a VERY long time ago.

I won't go into too much detail about this. You can see their response here:

Wait... are endogenic systems faking or not? 🤔

You seem like you're having a really hard time deciding.

If endogenic systems don't say they have a disorder, they literally can't be faking it.

If endogenic systems do think they have a disorder, then how would they be groomed into thinking they don't?

In the future, try your best to make a rationally coherent point.

Because you've clearly failed here.

Also, not what grooming is. Anti-endos, stop comparing endogenic systems to abusers.

Now, normally, I would go into the whole spiel of how actually endogenic systems are recognized by the majority of psychiatrists who have researched the subjects, by the World Health Organization, etc. But @cambriancrew already tried that, pointing to studies that have been done, and this was how @problematicpooch responded:

So essentially, don't trust the many, many professionals telling you endogenic plurality is real because some studies are wrong! 🙄

And WHAT RESEARCH HAVE YOU DONE?

Have you managed to find even one paper by a psychiatrist or psychologist anywhere stating it's impossible to be plural without trauma? Anywhere?

Because I think it's safe to say that our research is more valid than yours. Ours comes from respected doctors in the field. Yours comes from r/systemscringe. (Don't worry. I'm getting there.)

By the way, the Crew didn't say all studies need to be true if they're published. They said a book specifically peer reviewed and published by the American Psychiatric Association wouldn't have been published if the reviewers felt it contained untrue information.

Why are anti-endos always wanting to traumatize a bunch of children?

Why not just try testing alternative hypotheses for the formation of plurality?

Does anyone else get the feeling that anti-endos attack research into endogenic systems because they're scared?

"Research into endogenic systems is taking away from research into DID" is a pretty silly argument. A lot of research into DID and OSDD has been conducted by trauma specialists. Very little of the research into endogenic systems have been. Doctors who have traditionally focused on traumagenic plurality still are focused on that.

There's zero merit to the idea that this is taking away from research into DID in any way.

And again, the ICD-11, written by World Health Organization, is clear that you can experience multiple distinct identity states without a disorder.

The Hearing Voices Network has been fighting for the 80s to normalize that voice hearing isn't inherently pathological.

Just because someone has experiences similar to a mental illness doesn't mean they have a mental illness. Especially if the don't meet criteria for distress or impairment.

Okay... you know what... I AM going to whip out the ICD-11 here because I want to zero in on another part of this. In the criteria, for DID, you need to experience impairment in areas of functioning due to the disorder.

The DSM-5 has a similar criterion, worded as a requirement of "clinically significant distress or impairment" in important areas of functioning.

The ICD-11 contrasts this with non-aversive distinct personality states that aren't associated with impairment.

No, it's not ableist to say that DID is harmfull.

And the criterion I mentioned in the DSM is literally called the harm criterion, and establishes that a disorder can't be a disorder if it doesn't harm the person in some way.

Referring to dissociative disorders as being harmful isn't ableism. If they weren't harmful, they wouldn't be disorders. That's how disorders work!

Having other people in your head isn't inherently a disorder if it doesn't come with distress or impairment.

This doesn't mean that people with dissociative disorders are monsters. It just means they have a disorder that causes some for of distress or impairment.

Though maybe you, specifically, are.

r/systemscringe

After being torn apart, Problematicpooch ran to r/systemscringe where xe goes by u/Mikeyboi3000

Now, xe tried pulling this in the discussion with Cambrian too, who addressed it here:

Obviously, no correction from u/mikeyboi3000.

That would require a shred of intellectual honesty xe doesn't possess.

Anyway, while we're here, let's take a deeper look at the comments.

Casually accusing someone you don't of being an abuser while you have THAT as your flair is absolutely wild!

Also, they described symptoms the OP says are OSDD-1. At no point did the Crew actually claim OSDD isn't a disorder.

I think most people should have a general code of conduct for themselves. At least basic moral principles.

I would think it's weird that this person doesn't, but then I remembered that this is on r/systemscringe. Of course they wouldn't have any moral principles.

I don't think I've ever seen the Crew use that word for themselves. u/Mikeyboi3000 just stuck that in quotations for some reason.

By the way, if anyone's forgotten who u/sleep-bread-dough is, I debunked their r/systemscringe posts last week.

This is the user who makes system-friendly-sonas to pretend to be supportive of their system friends, and doesn't think DID systems should be allowed to work.

The problem isn't about consciousnesses.

While it may not be fair, if you're unable to hold a single member of the system accountable, then society's laws quickly break down.

Imagine if ghosts were real and could permanently possess someone. Ghosts start possessing people, and permanently are locked into those bodies. The ghosts then commit crimes. If you say, "well, we can't hold this person accountable because they're possessed," then they can commit more crimes without penalty.

If punishing a group is the only way to hold an individual accountable, then the whole group needs to be held accountable.

For example, if anti-endos routinely invade endogenic tags, crosstagging into our spaces, and they refuse to change and stay in their own corners when they're asked, then I have no choice but to crosstag my responses into their tags with the hope the rest of the anti-endo community can rein them in, punishing the entire group for the actions of an individual.

Maybe it doesn't seem fair, but sometimes things that seem unfair are necessary for maintaining order.

I think system responsibility is one of those things, where even if a system were made up of completely 100% separate people, all would need to be held accountable for the actions of one or nobody would be held accountable.

This wasn't the only post u/Mikeyboi300 made either after Tumblr arguments in the past few days. Xe also did one after being corrected by LunastusCo on their origins.

To anyone who may engage with this user, please be warned that doing so may result in them posting you to r/systemscringe in retaliation.

If you're worried about being posted on r/systemscringe, the best thing you can do is to block @problematicpooch.

[mrs-sharp]

I did a bit of research and scraped together memories from a few semesters of psychology, hoping I haven’t fundamentally gotten anything wrong. I attempted a small (clinical) psychological analysis of Sharp in which, of course, some things had to be shortened, trying to determine how the events in Scarborough might have affected him.

TW: Mention of PTSD, trauma, personality disorders

Does Sharp suffer from PTSD?

What is PTSD?

• Trigger: uncontrollable, unpredictable event

• Stress reaction where people suffer from the persistent re-experiencing of the traumatic event (flashbacks, nightmares)

-> Guilt for surviving

-> In addition to chronic stressors, everyday stressors also influence the course of the illness and mental state (noise, stressful events (I’m looking at you, Garreth), job stress)

• There are several stages to diagnose PTSD:

1. Trauma

In psychiatric classification systems, trauma (in relation to PTSD) is defined as follows: (only) exceptional, (potentially) life-threatening events or events associated with severe injuries; applies to Scarborough, but:

-> not every trauma leads to PTSD; while an estimated 60% have had a traumatic experience, only about 8% of the male population develop PTSD (for women, it's 20%); the likelihood increases if the trauma was inflicted intentionally, which applies to Scarborough.

2. Flashbacks, nightmares (explanations follow below)

3. Avoidance behavior

-> Avoidance of stimuli related to the trauma:

So, we have this: Sharp claims that fear played no role in his decision to leave the Ministry:

-> there is a study (Lanius et al. 2003) that compared traumatized individuals with and without PTSD: those with PTSD showed lower brain activity when experiencing emotional memories (people with PTSD thus suffer from a disorder in emotion processing)

-> What does this mean? Either the emotion is present, but Sharp's brain can not process it, or maybe he simply doesn’t want to discuss his emotions with a student

-> Repression might also play a role in this statement, as well as the fear of making himself vulnerable (if someone uses my fears against me, I have to relive them)

4. Overstimulation

-> constant state of alertness

-> sleep disturbances, irritability

5. Duration > 1 month

6. Psychosocial impairments

Problem: We don’t see much: Does he have nightmares, flashbacks, concentration issues? Does he relive the trauma? Does the experience restrict him?

Between the lines, it can be seen that he feels guilt, but there is hardly any indication of the extent of it (if he didn’t feel guilt, to be honest, that would worry me too).

Counterarguments / Ambivalences:

• He speaks relatively openly about what he experienced

• He admits his mistake: this could be a sign that he has come to terms with it or that he blames himself for it

• He actively seeks a cure and even takes a new job for it, which argues against avoidance behaviour.

7. Differential diagnosis

-> Reactions to trauma can cause disorders of varying severity

-> Trauma can also bring other psychological disorders, including adjustment disorders, or:

• a persistent personality change after extreme stress:

Aesop mentions that success can make one complacent. From this, it can be concluded that the trauma has profoundly changed his personality:

• in the above-mentioned disorder, the personality change includes:

-> among other things, a hostile and distrustful attitude (thinking of the first encounter with MC, see this post),

-> social withdrawal (new job)

-> as well as constant internal tension and restlessness out of fear of being threatened (his extreme perceptiveness could be a sign of this; when MC talks to Garreth, Sharp knows exactly what they discussed afterward)

-> all this therefore applies to Sharp

However, this disorder tends to occur with persistent stress that can begin in childhood, which either indicates that Scarborough, though a one-time event, still burdens him, or that his personality changes cannot be classified as a disorder.

Conclusion: Sharp probably does not have PTSD, but Scarborough caused severe trauma. We can assume that the event has profoundly shaped his personality. Whether it can be called a personality disorder, I can not judge. However, I do wonder what the "old" Sharp was like. But that’s a question for another post.

[multiplicity-positivity]

Hey!! Do y'all know where we can find any resources/symptom lists/etc specific to osdd-1b?? We've been questioning whether or not that might be a thing we have going on, but when we try to look into it, most of what we're finding groups DID and OSDD together and emphasizes memory gaps, which we dont really have.

Hey, we’re not a clinician or expert, but from what we know about DID and OSDD:

- there’s really not a huge amount of difference between these two disorders. The differences may be minor or arbitrary, and honestly the difference in diagnosis may vary vastly from clinician to clinician.

- that being said, there’s likely even less of a difference between OSDD-1a and OSDD-1b. We’re not a clinician and we have trouble sometimes understanding clinical language, so researching the differences between these subcategories (without turning to community-created content) has been difficult for us. Vaguely, we understand OSDD-1a to mean a dissociative disorder with amnesia but no parts/alters, and OSDD-1b to mean a dissociative disorder with parts/alters but no amnesia.

These things being said, we’ll include the information we could find. Please don’t disregard resources that have information on OSDD along with DID! Like we said, these disorders are closely linked, so it makes sense that they’re often grouped together.

Trying to find accurate, reliable info on OSDD-1b if anything reminded us how horribly under researched dissociative disorders are. We couldn’t find much that isn’t unsourced in a wiki or written on a personal blog.

^ this is an ask we answered in the past. A lovely system reblogged it with their thoughts and info regarding OSDD 1a and 1b

^ we really love the CTAD clinic! This video may be useful, though the clinician speaking here does advise against self-diagnosis and proposes renaming OSDD as “minor DID” which we don’t entirely agree with.

Please use critical thinking and your best judgement when exploring these links. You know yourself better than anyone else!

We’re sorry we couldn’t find more up-to-date, reliable, and accurate information for you. This might be something best brought up in therapy or with a qualified professional. Still, we hope something in this list of resources might help you.

💫 Parker and 🐢 Kip

[madamemachikonew]

More thoughts on Baizhu's story quest #2 - Baizhu's lack of self

↓ ↓ Spoilers below ↓ ↓ 

The dynamic between Baizhu and Changsheng is interesting in the sense of how Baizhu has both negated and asserted himself in the relationship. When we think of 'selfless' behaviour, it has come to mean putting other people first. But a more literal meaning is being without self. Baizhu's behaviour is quite paradoxical in that the two states exist at once.

In choosing to undertake the art of healing (before he ever made his contract) he had taken an oath under his master to practice his art for the benefit of all, regardless of wealth or status. In essence, this ethical duty requires the medic to put personal feelings aside and administer their art in a fair way without prejudice or reasonable refusal. This is the first denial of self and is common to other professions such as lawyers. You also cannot allow emotions to cloud your clinical judgment and sometimes must make difficult decisions in the best interests of the patient, no matter how they offend you morally or emotionally.

The demands and rigours of such a job are such that you never have a day off. Yes, a clinic may have opening hours, but an emergency can present itself at any time or place. The doctor's duty requires that they must assist. It becomes a way of life and long working hours end up dictating how you spend your leisure time or who you meet. It permanently alters how you think; your brain is constantly viewing the world through the lens of your profession. For example, a simple walk in the mountain will turn into 'Oh, I wonder if that flower might have a medicinal benefit?' when most people will simply stop to look at the pretty flower. In this way, Baizhu further loses his definition of self.

It is also common to vocational professions to lose one's sense of self in that your identity becomes wrapped up in your job. People forever associate the name Baizhu with him being a doctor. Not Baizhu the human being. If one were to remove his medical inclination, what would be left of him? His voicelines are all based in some way around his profession - even his hobby is research. He doesn't even commit to a favourite food in favour of dispensing some health advice about having a balanced diet. Who actually is Baizhu as a person? What are his own preferences and desires? Is there anything of him apart from his dedication to his art? Once again, he has suppressed his sense of self. Or conceals it from the people around him in a guarded way. He deliberately makes himself two-dimensional in his presentation, but it plays as being mysterious and enigmatic. He uses a mischievous sense of humour to dodge and deflect questions he doesn't want to answer. For whatever reason, he does not want others to penetrate the external layer.

In this way, and on account of his pure heart and altruistic nature, taking the contract became a self-fulfilling prophecy, as much as he wants to deny the existence of fate. Changsheng refers to him as her mannequin. But it's probably more accurate to say that Baizhu has made himself a vessel or conduit for her power for the purpose of healing. A further denial of self.

He wears a smile so as not to cause worry to the people around him and encourage his patients despite the huge suffering he experiences daily. He has invalidated his own pain for the convenience of others (something which many sick or disabled people do). Again, denial of self.

But on the other hand, according to Jiangli, Baizhu's senior apprentice, he most likely would have been able to formulate a remedy for Jialiang on his own steam had he not reverse-engineered and adapted her version. She says that his intellect is exceptional in its own right.

In other words, Baizhu is more than a vessel; he has his own knowledge and skillset and likely would have been an exceptional physician even without the contract. Changsheng's arts merely serve to amplify it or make the process of his research more meaningful and elevate his talents to miraculous. His inquisitiveness and analytical nature were always his alone. He uses her abilities as research tools to develop cures and better understand how diseases and toxins work, thus expediting the research and development process.

In spite of his ostensible modesty (he refers to himself as 'delusional' and 'troublesome' and uses humble language) Baizhu seems to be aware of his ability and I wonder if this is the reason why he is so confident - arrogant? stubborn? - that he will defy the demise suffered by his predecessors to Changsheng's contract. In this way, he asserts self. And he does so either oblivious to the love that other people hold for him, or in spite of it.

Either, through denial of self, he cannot imagine himself worthy of love. I think this is unlikely - he is aware of his brilliance and his aesthetics suggest he is equally aware he is attractive. I suspect that he simply weighs up the grief of his loved ones against the benefits that could be brought to countless more unnamed people in the future through his ability to heal them. In this way he asserts self in the strongest and most painful way possible; he will not be deterred from walking his path as a healer. The only suffering he wilfully refuses to alleviate through his single-minded actions is that of those who cherish him most.

But then, he is confident that such a possibility will never arise because he is convinced of his future success. Maybe he is even inspired by it and becomes all the more determined to succeed in his endeavours, precisely to protect them. This sort of hubris is never destined to end well.

I would hope he uses their pain to temper any temptation to be reckless, but I fear the lure of testing his limits would always win. I think he will either end up dead, or cursed to immortal agony, because he cannot find cures for all of the ailments he's accumulated and some will do permanent damage even if they are cured later. After all, Changsheng's power is eroding and she cannot balance his Qi forever.

I wonder if, with either outcome, he would regret his decision or not.  

[transenbyconfessions]

when someone is outright transphobic towards me, it hurts, it's terrifying, but it's at least simple, I think-- you're in danger and it's horrible and you feel unsafe and you know that.

but there's a specific.... grief, a mourning feeling, this sense of incomprehensible loss and isolation, that accompanies supportive transphobia. transphobia that's just... there as an undercurrent. i feel like i'm grieving and i feel unwanted and rejected for my identity and it feels like it's my fault. and i know it isn't, but it's... so hard to internalize.

so far my parents have been supportive of me and because of it i kind of trusted them. and my mom has been making an effort to learn, reading resources I've sent her to try and understand me, and i don't think she gets the non-binary thing very much but she's putting in that effort, she always genders me correctly and uses my new name, she's even helped me research local hrt clinics.

but lately I've been realizing that my dad.... actually might hate that I'm trans. When I came out to him he basically seemed neutral, like he didn't really care or thought it was normal. he says he doesn't understand what it feels like to have an internal sense of gender, and when I said that sounded like something an agender person would say and described it to him, he said, more or less "well that fits me sure, but isn't everyone?" which hurts because i have a really strong sense of gender now and it sounds like he thinks having a gender at all is delusional.

he's neurodivergent and old too so he has a hard time remembering things, and he always uses my deadname and pronouns and gendered titles associated with my agab because of this. he doesn't correct people either way but if he introduces me first it's always as my agab. I always read it as indifference/neglect/lack of care or emotional investment, but.... he was really against me transitioning, he thinks I should be grateful for the body I have, and the potential complications from medical treatment (which he sees as "unnecessary" or cosmetic basically) wouldn't be "worth it." to him.

i kind of....accepted all of this as just... side effects of his age or neurodivergence or of clearly not understanding gender at all. but recently... because my partner is trans and my partner's sister is trans and my dad recently said something that really crossed a line in my head...about how I've "changed" since I started to live with them a few years ago and how he didn't want me to make serious health decisions as part of a "trend". and a few times since then he's expressed gentle distain and distrust for my partner, especially when I try to explain things from my childhood that hurt me, he always says that's something that I think happened to me because of my partner's trauma.

and writing it all out like this it... it really does look transphobic. but he doesn't SEEM transphobic, he never "corrects" other people that use my right pronouns, he at least recognizes my real name, he understands that I want to transition and says it's my decision even if he disagrees with it. he doesn't intend to stop me or treat me worse for it or kick me out or stop financially supporting me or anything. so it feels weird to call him transphobic because he's...still so supportive? just... invalidating and not understanding.... so rather than scared or unsafe that's just this overwhelming grief. that i.... don't think he'll ever see me the way i am. i feel like i'm mourning my relationship with him. it feels alone.

[jcmarchi]

Does “food as medicine” make a big dent in diabetes?

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/does-food-as-medicine-make-a-big-dent-in-diabetes/

Does “food as medicine” make a big dent in diabetes?

How much can healthy eating improve a case of diabetes? A new health care program attempting to treat diabetes by means of improved nutrition shows a very modest impact, according to the first fully randomized clinical trial on the subject.

The study, co-authored by MIT health care economist Joseph Doyle of the MIT Sloan School of Management, tracks participants in an innovative program that provides healthy meals in order to address diabetes and food insecurity at the same time. The experiment focused on Type 2 diabetes, the most common form.

The program involved people with high blood sugar levels, in this case an HbA1c hemoglobin level of 8.0 or more. Participants in the clinical trial who were given food to make 10 nutritious meals per week saw their hemoglobin A1c levels fall by 1.5 percentage points over six months. However, trial participants who were not given any food had their HbA1c levels fall by 1.3 percentage points over the same time. This suggests the program’s relative effects were limited and that providers need to keep refining such interventions.

“We found that when people gained access to [got food from] the program, their blood sugar did fall, but the control group had an almost identical drop,” says Doyle, the Erwin H. Schell Professor of Management at MIT Sloan.

Given that these kinds of efforts have barely been studied through clinical trials, Doyle adds, he does not want one study to be the last word, and hopes it spurs more research to find methods that will have a large impact. Additionally, programs like this also help people who lack access to healthy food in the first place by dealing with their food insecurity.

“We do know that food insecurity is problematic for people, so addressing that by itself has its own benefits, but we still need to figure out how best to improve health at the same time if it is going to be addressed through the health care system,” Doyle adds.

The paper, “The Effect of an Intensive Food-as-Medicine Program on Health and Health Care Use: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” is published today in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The authors are Doyle; Marcella Alsan, a professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School; Nicholas Skelley, a predoctoral research associate at MIT Sloan Health Systems Initiative; Yutong Lu, a predoctoral technical associate at MIT Sloan Health Systems Initiative; and John Cawley, a professor in the Department of Economics and the Department of Policy Analysis and Management at Cornell University and co-director of Cornell’s Institute on Health Economics, Health Behaviors and Disparities.

To conduct the study, the researchers partnered with a large health care provider in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S., which has developed food-as-medicine programs. Such programs have become increasingly popular in health care, and could apply to treating diabetes, which involves elevated blood sugar levels and can create serious or even fatal complications. Diabetes affects about 10 percent of the adult population.

The study consisted of a randomized clinical trial of 465 adults with Type 2 diabetes, centered in two locations within the network of the health care provider. One location was part of an urban area, and the other was rural. The study took place from 2019 through 2022, with a year of follow-up testing beyond that. People in the study’s treatment group were given food for 10 healthy meals per week for their families over a six-month period, and had opportunities to consult with a nutritionist and nurses as well. Participants from both the treatment and control groups underwent periodic blood testing.

Adherence to the program was very high. Ultimately, however, the reduction in blood sugar levels experienced by people in the treatment group was only marginally bigger than that of people in the control group.

Those results leave Doyle and his co-authors seeking to explain why the food intervention didn’t have a bigger relative impact. In the first place, he notes, there could be some basic reversion to the mean in play — some people in the control group with high blood sugar levels were likely to improve that even without being enrolled in the program.

“If you examine people on a bad health trajectory, many will naturally improve as they take steps to move away from this danger zone, such as moderate changes in diet and exercise,” Doyle says. 

Moreover, because the healthy eating program was developed by a health care provider staying engaged with all the participants, people in the control group may have still benefitted from medical engagement and thus fared better than a control group without such health care access. 

It is also possible the Covid-19 pandemic, unfolding during the experiment’s time frame, affected the outcomes in some way, although results were similar when they examined outcomes prior to the pandemic. Or it could be that the intervention’s effects might appear over a still-longer time frame.

And while the program provided food, it left it to participants to prepare meals, which might be a hurdle for program compliance. Potentially, premade meals might have a bigger impact.

“Experimenting with providing those premade meals seems like a natural next step,” says Doyle, who emphasizes that he would like to see more research about food-as-medicine programs aiming at diabetes, especially if such programs evolve and try to some different formats and features.

“When you find a particular intervention doesn’t improve blood sugar, we don’t just say, we shouldn’t try at all,” Doyle says. “Our study definitely raises questions, and gives us some new answers we haven’t seen before.”

Support for the study came from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL); and the MIT Sloan Health Systems Initiative. Outside the submitted work, Cawley has reported receiving personal fees from Novo Nordisk, Inc, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures diabetes medication and other treatments.

[c19library]

Known COVID-19 Health Complications

Last Updated September 8, 2023

Repeat Infections

Summary: Repeat infections, even if mild during the acute phase, cause cumulative damage to the body and increase your risk of developing health complications or Long COVID. You should aim to limit the number of times you are infected as much as possible, even if you are not currently high risk (Note: Health complications post-COVID-19 infection can make you high risk) and have been vaccinated.

Published Research

Acute and postacute sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection | Nature Medicine Bowe, B., Xie, Y, & Al-Aly, Z. (2022).

Articles & Reports

Repeat COVID-19 infections increase risk of organ failure, death – Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (wustl.edu) Sauerwein, K. (2022).

Why Getting COVID-19 Multiple Times Is Risky For Your Health | Time Park, A. (2022).

Heart & Cardiovascular Damage

Summary: COVID-19 increases your risk of heart failure, heart attacks, strokes, pulmonary embolism, palpitations, arrhythmia, myocarditis, blood clots (thrombosis), etc. post-infection. Inflammation during the acute phase of a COVID-19 infection can damage the heart and blood vessels.

“Risks and 12-month burdens of incident post-acute COVID-19 cardiovascular outcomes in participants without any history of cardiovascular outcomes prior to COVID-19 exposure compared to the contemporary control cohort.” (Xie et al., 2022)

Published Research

Core mitochondrial genes are down-regulated during SARS-CoV-2 infection of rodent and human hosts | Science Translational Medicine Guarnieri, J. W., Dybas, J. M., ... Wallace, D. C. (2023).

Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19 - PMC (nih.gov) Xie, Y., Xu, E., Bowe, B., & Al-Aly, Z. (2022).

Articles & Reports

Blood Clotting Proteins Might Help Predict Long COVID Brain Fog - Scientific American Reardon, S. (2023, September 1).

SARS-CoV-2 can damage mitochondrion in heart, other organs, study finds | CIDRAP (umn.edu) Van Beusekom, M. (2023, August 9).

Your vascular system and COVID | Heart and Stroke Foundation Heart and Stroke Foundation. (2023).

COVID, heart disease and stroke | Heart and Stroke Foundation Heart and Stroke Foundation. (2023, April 17).

How does coronavirus affect your heart? - BHF British Heart Foundation. (2023, March 21).

COVID-19 and Heart Damage: What You Should Know (clevelandclinic.org) Cleveland Clinic. (2022, May 10).

Heart Problems after COVID-19 | Johns Hopkins Medicine Post, W. S., & Gilotra, N. A. (2022).

COVID and the Heart: It Spares No One | Johns Hopkins | Bloomberg School of Public Health (jhu.edu) Desmon, S., & Al-Aly, Z. (2022, March 14).

COVID-19 takes serious toll on heart health—a full year after recovery | Science | AAAS Wadman, M. (2022, February 9).

Brain & Neurological Damage

Summary: COVID-19 infection increases your risk of developing cognitive impairments, mental health issues, poor memory, early onset dementia, and permanent loss of smell due to brain damage and the atrophy of brain matter. "Brain fog" and problems concentrating are common complaints post-infection that have also been linked to brain damage. Damage to blood vessels due to inflammation during the infection may be responsible for this by restricting oxygen flow to the brain. COVID-19 may also directly infect the brain.

Published Research

Biology | Free Full-Text | Vascular Dysfunctions Contribute to the Long-Term Cognitive Deficits Following COVID-19 (mdpi.com) Shabani, Z., Liu, J., & Su, H. (2023).

Frontiers | COVCOG 2: Cognitive and Memory Deficits in Long COVID: A Second Publication From the COVID and Cognition Study (frontiersin.org) Guo, P., Ballesteros, B. A., Yeung, S. P., Liu, R., Saha, A., Curtis, L., Kaser, M., Haggard, M. P., & Cheke, L. G. (2022).

COVID-19 and cognitive impairment: neuroinvasive and blood‒brain barrier dysfunction - PMC (nih.gov) Chen, Y., Yang, W., Chen, F., & Cui, L. (2022).

Comparison of post-COVID depression and major depressive disorder | medRxiv Perlis, R. H., Santillana, M., Ognyanova, K., Green, J., Druckman, J., Lazer, D., & Baum, M. A. (2021).

Articles & Reports

Long COVID May Impair Memory, Cognition for Months (healthline.com) Rossiaky, D. (2022).

COVID Variants Can Affect the Brain in Different Ways - Neuroscience News (2023).

The hidden long-term cognitive effects of COVID-19 - Harvard Health Budson, A. E. (2021). Harvard Medical School.

Long Covid: Even mild Covid is linked to damage to the brain months after infection (nbcnews.com) Ryan, B. (2022). NBC News.

COVID-19 Can Affect the Brain Even Long After an Infection | Time Ducharme, J. (2023). Time.

Lung Damage

Summary: COVID-19 infections can cause lung damage or scarring, and can trigger pneumonia, bronchitis, ARDS, and sepsis. Additionally, some people experience shortness of breath (dyspnea) and difficulty exercising as a post-acute sequela after infection, or multiple infections.

Published Research

At a crossroads: COVID-19 recovery and the risk of pulmonary vascular disease - PMC (nih.gov) Cascino, T. M., Desai, A. A., & Kanthi, Y. (2021).

[Pulmonary manifestations in long COVID] - PubMed (nih.gov) Sommer, N., & Schmeck, B. (2022).

Residual Lung Abnormalities after COVID-19 Hospitalization: Interim Analysis of the UKILD Post-COVID-19 Study - PubMed (nih.gov) Stewart, I., Jacob, J., George, P. M., Molyneaux, P. L., Porter, J. C., Allen, R. J., Aslani, S., Baillie, J. K., Barratt, S. L., Beirne, P., Bianchi, S. M., Blaikley, J. F., ...Jenkins, G. R. (2023).

Articles & Reports

Even mild cases of COVID-19 may cause long-term lung damage - UPI.com HealthDay News. (2022). United Press International.

COVID-19 Lung Damage | Johns Hopkins Medicine Galiatsatos, P. (2022).

Immune System & Autoimmune Diseases

Summary: COVID-19 infection can impair the functioning of your immune system. This means that those who have previously been infected are potentially immunocompromised (higher risk). For some people, the way COVID-19 impairs their immune system results in the onset of autoimmune diseases.

“Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines that persist more than 8 months following convalescence.” (Phetsouphanh et al., 2022)

“Crude incidence of each autoimmune disease by COVID-19 and non-COVID groups.” (Peng et al., 2023)

Published Research

Immunological dysfunction persists for 8 months following initial mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection | Nature Immunology Phetsouphanh, C., Darley, D. R., Wilson, D. B., Howe, A., Munier, M. L., Patel, S. K., Juno, J. A., Burrell, L. M., Kent, S. J., Dore, G. J., ... & Matthews, G. V. (2022).

Long-term perturbation of the peripheral immune system months after SARS-CoV-2 infection | BMC Medicine | Full Text (biomedcentral.com) Ryan, F. J., Hope, C. M., Masavuli, M. G., Lynn, M. A., Mekonnen, Z. A., Yeow, A. E. L., Garcia-Valtanen, P., Al-Delfi, Z., Gummow, J., Furguson, C., ... Lynn, D. J. (2022).

Risk of autoimmune diseases following COVID-19 and the potential protective effect from vaccination: a population-based cohort study - eClinicalMedicine (thelancet.com) Peng, K., Li, X., Yang, D., Chan, S. C. W., Zhou, J., & Wan, E. Y. F. (2023).

Long-term perturbation of the peripheral immune system months after SARS-CoV-2 infection | BMC Medicine | Full Text (biomedcentral.com) Winheim, E., Rinke, L., Lutz, K., Reischer, A., Leutbecher, A., Wolfram, L., Rausch, L., Kranich, J., Wratil, P. R., Huber, J. E., Baumjohann, D., ... Krug, A. B. (2021).

Articles & Reports

How COVID-19 Changes the Immune System | Time Park, A. (2023, August 18).

How COVID-19 alters the immune system -- ScienceDaily ScienceDaily. (2021, October 28).

Impacts of COVID on the immune system (medicalxpress.com) Herrero, L. (2022, September 19).

COVID-19's impact on the immune system, and how this may affect subsequent infections - ABC News Smith, B. (2022, December 1).

COVID-19 can derange immune system; survivors have autoimmune diseases (usatoday.com) Szabo, L. (2021, March 2).

Long COVID & PASC

Summary: Long COVID is an umbrella term that refers to the onset of disabling symptoms/conditions resulting from any of the previously mentioned organ, immune system, and vascular damage sustained during infection. These conditions are also referred to as "post-acute sequelae of COVID-19" (PASC). Vaccination can reduce the damage experienced by decreasing inflammation during an infection, but Long COVID/PASC can affect anyone. This is especially true in the case of multiple infections. Your risk of developing Long COVID, or worse/new symptoms, increases with each additional infection.

“Cumulative incidence and DALYs of postacute sequelae overall and by organ system at 2 years after infection.” (Bowe et al., 2023)

Published Research

T cell apoptosis characterizes severe Covid-19 disease - PubMed (nih.gov) André, S., Picard, M., Cezar, R., Roux-Dalvai, F., Alleaume-Butaux, A., Soundaramourty, C., Cruz, A. S., Mendes-Frias, A., Gotti, C., … Estaquier, J. (2022).

SARS-CoV-2 reservoir in post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) | Nature Immunology Proal, A. D., VanElzakker, M. B., Aleman, S., Bach, K., Boribong, B. P., Buggert, M., Cherry, S., Chertow, D. S., Davies, H. E., Dupont, C. L., ... Wherry, E. J. (2023).

The immunology of long COVID | Nature Reviews Immunology Altmann, D. M., Whettlock, E. M., Liu, S., Arachchillage, D. J., & Boyton, R. J. (2023).

Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations | Nature Reviews Microbiology Davis, H. E., McCorkell, L., Vogel, J. M., & Topol, E. J. (2023).

Long COVID prevalence and impact on quality of life 2 years after acute COVID-19 | Scientific Reports (nature.com) Kim, Y., Bae, S., Chang, H., & Kim, S. (2023).

Postacute sequelae of COVID-19 at 2 years | Nature Medicine Bowe, B., Xie, Y., & Al-Aly, Z. (2023).

Articles & Reports

Long COVID | NIH COVID-19 Research National Institutes of Health. (2023, June 8).

Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions | CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, July 20).

The Most Important Question About Long COVID | Harvard Medical School Pesheva, K. (2023, August 9).

Nearly One in Five American Adults Who Have Had COVID-19 Still Have "Long COVID" (cdc.gov) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, June 22).

[laraphleb]

Phlebotomy Pay Scale: How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make?

**Title: ⁤Phlebotomy Pay Scale: How Much Does a Phlebotomist Make?**

**Introduction:** If you’re considering a career in phlebotomy, one of the key factors​ you may be interested in knowing is the pay scale for phlebotomists. Phlebotomists play a crucial role in ‌the healthcare industry by⁣ drawing blood for medical tests, ⁤donations, ⁣and research purposes. In this article,‍ we will explore the average salary range for phlebotomists, factors that can influence pay, ​and tips ⁤for⁣ maximizing your earning potential in‌ this rewarding career.

**Average ⁣Salary‍ Range for Phlebotomists:** According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,⁢ the median annual wage for phlebotomists in the United States was $36,480 as of May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,000, while the highest 10 percent earned over $50,000. However, it’s essential��� to ‍note that pay can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, education, and employer.

**Factors Influencing‍ Phlebotomy Pay:** Several factors can impact a phlebotomist’s salary, including:

1. ⁢**Location:** Phlebotomists working in metropolitan areas or ‌in‌ states with higher costs of living tend to earn higher salaries. 2. **Experience:** More experienced phlebotomists may command higher‍ pay rates than⁣ those who are just starting. 3. **Education:** Phlebotomists ⁣with ‌additional certifications or ‍degrees may qualify for higher-paying‌ positions. 4.⁤ **Employer:** Working for a hospital or healthcare facility can often ⁣result in‌ higher salaries compared to working⁢ for a smaller clinic or laboratory.

**Ways to Maximize Your Earning Potential:** If you’re looking to increase your salary as ‍a‍ phlebotomist, consider the following ‌tips:

1. **Obtain certification:** Getting certified⁢ by a reputable organization like the ⁣National Healthcareer Association (NHA) can make you more competitive in the job market and lead to higher pay. 2. **Pursue additional education:** Consider pursuing further⁢ education‌ or training in the‍ field of phlebotomy to increase your skills and qualifications. 3. **Gain experience:** As​ you gain⁢ more experience in the field, you may become‍ eligible for promotions⁣ and higher-paying positions. 4.⁢ **Negotiate your salary:** When applying for a new job or ‍during performance reviews, don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary to ensure you’re being fairly compensated for your⁤ skills and⁤ experience.

**Conclusion:** the pay scale ⁤for phlebotomists can vary depending on location, experience, education, and employer. While the median salary for phlebotomists is around​ $36,480 per year,⁣ there are ways to increase your earning potential ⁣in this field. By obtaining certification,‌ pursuing additional education, gaining experience, and⁢ negotiating your salary, ‌you can set yourself up for a⁣ successful and financially rewarding career as a phlebotomist.

https://phlebotomycareertraining.net/phlebotomy-pay-scale-how-much-does-a-phlebotomist-make/

[millaphleb]

Opening the Pricing Secrets: How Much Does Phlebotomy Training Really Cost?

Unlocking the⁢ Pricing Secrets: How Much⁤ Does Phlebotomy Training ‌Really Cost?

If you’re considering a career in phlebotomy, one of⁣ the essential factors to consider is the cost of training.⁢ Phlebotomy training programs can vary widely in terms of cost, depending ⁢on the type of program, location, and duration. In ⁤this article, we will uncover the‍ pricing secrets of phlebotomy training and provide you with valuable information to help you make an informed ‍decision.

Understanding the Costs of Phlebotomy Training

Phlebotomy training programs are offered by a variety ‌of institutions, including community colleges,⁤ vocational schools, hospitals, and online programs. The cost of⁤ these programs can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred‌ dollars to several‍ thousand⁢ dollars. Here are some factors ‌that can influence the cost of phlebotomy training:

1. Type of⁣ Program: Phlebotomy training programs⁢ can be classified ⁤into two main categories – certificate programs and degree programs. Certificate ‍programs are generally‌ shorter in duration and focus solely on​ phlebotomy training, while degree ⁤programs may include additional coursework‌ in related ⁢fields. Certificate programs tend to be more affordable than‍ degree programs.

2. Location: The⁢ cost of ‌living in a‌ particular area can also impact the cost of phlebotomy training. Programs located in major cities or regions with a higher⁤ cost of living ⁤may have higher tuition ​fees.

3. Duration: The length of the program can also affect ⁢the⁣ overall cost. Shorter programs may be less expensive but may also be more ⁤intensive, while longer programs may allow for a ‍more relaxed ​pace of learning ​but come ‌with a higher price tag.

4. Accreditation:‌ Accredited programs may be more⁣ expensive than ‌non-accredited programs, but they generally offer higher quality education and better⁢ job prospects upon completion.

5. Additional Costs: In addition to tuition fees, you may also need⁤ to consider additional costs such as textbooks, lab fees, uniform,⁢ and certification⁣ exam ⁤fees.

Phlebotomy Training ‍Cost Breakdown

To give you a better idea of how much phlebotomy training really‌ costs, here​ is a breakdown of the average costs⁤ associated with‍ different types of phlebotomy training programs:

1. Certificate Programs – ​Average Tuition: $700 – $2,000 – Duration: 4 -⁤ 12 weeks – Additional Costs: ⁢$100 – $500 for‌ textbooks, lab fees, uniform, and certification exam fees

2. Degree Programs – Average Tuition: $2,000 – $5,000 per semester – Duration: 1 -​ 2⁢ years – Additional Costs:‍ $500 ⁤- $1,000 for textbooks, ‍lab fees, uniform, ⁣and⁣ certification exam fees

3. Online Programs – Average Tuition: $500 – $1,500 – Duration: ⁤Self-paced – Additional Costs: $100 – $300 for textbooks ⁤and certification exam fees

Benefits ⁢of Investing in Phlebotomy Training

While the cost of phlebotomy training may ‍seem daunting, it is important to consider the⁢ potential benefits of investing in your ‌education. Here are some benefits of⁤ completing‍ a ⁤phlebotomy training program:

1. Lucrative ⁣Career Opportunities: Phlebotomists are in high demand ⁤in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. Completing a phlebotomy training program can lead to stable and well-paying job opportunities.

2. Personal Fulfillment: Phlebotomy is a rewarding career⁣ that⁢ allows you to ⁢make a positive ​impact on patients’ lives ⁢by providing essential healthcare services.

3. Career Advancement: With additional training and experience, phlebotomists can advance‌ their careers and ⁣pursue opportunities in supervisory or teaching roles.

Practical Tips for Choosing a⁤ Phlebotomy Training Program

If you’re ready⁣ to embark on your phlebotomy training journey, here are some practical tips to help you choose the right ​program:

1. Research Accredited Programs: Look for⁣ phlebotomy training programs that are accredited by recognized accrediting bodies to ensure ⁢quality ⁣education‍ and⁣ better job prospects.

2. Consider Program ⁢Duration:⁣ Determine whether you prefer ⁣a shorter, more intensive program‌ or‍ a⁢ longer, ⁤more relaxed program based on ‌your‌ learning style and schedule.

3. Compare Costs: Compare tuition fees, additional ​costs, and financial‌ aid options for different programs to find‍ one that fits your budget.

4. Seek Recommendations: ​Ask for recommendations from current or former students, healthcare professionals, or career counselors to learn ⁤more about​ the reputation of different programs.

In Conclusion

Phlebotomy​ training is a valuable investment in your future, offering lucrative career opportunities and ‌personal fulfillment. While‍ the​ cost ​of training may vary depending on⁤ various factors, the benefits of completing a ​phlebotomy ⁣training program outweigh the upfront expenses. By considering factors such as program⁢ type, location, duration, and accreditation, you can choose a‌ phlebotomy training program that ‍fits your​ budget​ and educational goals. Remember to research programs, compare costs, and seek recommendations to make an informed decision. Unlock the ⁢pricing secrets⁢ of phlebotomy training​ and start your​ journey to ⁢a rewarding career in healthcare ⁢today.

https://phlebotomycertificationcourse.net/opening-the-pricing-secrets-how-much-does-phlebotomy-training-really-cost/

[dermaartsclinic-blog]

Understanding Laser Skin Whitening Treatment Price: What You Need to Know

Laser skin whitening treatments have gained popularity as a quick and effective way to achieve a brighter and more even skin tone. However, many individuals interested in this procedure often find themselves asking, "How much does it cost?" In this blog, we will explore the various factors that influence the price of laser skin whitening treatments and what you can expect in terms of costs.

What is Laser Skin Whitening?

Laser skin whitening is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes laser technology to reduce melanin production in the skin, leading to a lighter and more uniform complexion. The treatment targets areas of hyperpigmentation, sunspots, and uneven skin tone, making it a popular choice for those seeking a more radiant appearance.

Factors Influencing the Cost of Laser Skin Whitening

Clinic Reputation and Location

The reputation of the clinic and its location play a significant role in pricing. Established clinics in metropolitan areas may charge more due to their advanced technology, skilled professionals, and higher operational costs.

Type of Laser Used

Different types of lasers (such as Q-switched lasers, fractional lasers, or CO2 lasers) have varying costs associated with their use. More advanced technologies may offer better results but can also come with a higher price tag.

Treatment Area

The size and area being treated can affect the overall cost. Treating a small area, such as the face, may be less expensive than a full-body treatment.

Number of Sessions Required

Most patients require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results. The total cost will depend on the number of sessions recommended by your dermatologist or skincare professional.

Consultation Fees

Initial consultations with dermatologists or skincare specialists may incur additional fees. It’s essential to consider these when budgeting for your treatment.

Average Costs of Laser Skin Whitening Treatments

The price for laser skin whitening treatments can vary widely based on the factors mentioned above. On average, you can expect to pay:

Per Session: INR 5,000 to INR 20,000, depending on the clinic and technology used.

Total Treatment: For a complete treatment course (usually 3 to 6 sessions), the total cost may range from INR 15,000 to INR 1,20,000.

Additional Costs to Consider

Post-Treatment Care: Some clinics may recommend specific skincare products or treatments to enhance results and maintain your skin’s health. These can add to the overall expense.

Follow-Up Appointments: Regular check-ups to monitor progress and any necessary touch-ups may also contribute to the total cost.

Is It Worth the Investment?

While laser skin whitening treatments can be a bit pricey, many individuals find the results worth the investment. Achieving a brighter and more even skin tone can boost confidence and enhance your overall appearance. However, it’s crucial to do your research, choose a reputable clinic, and consult with a qualified dermatologist before undergoing any treatment.

Conclusion

Understanding the price of laser skin whitening treatments involves considering various factors, including the clinic’s reputation, the type of laser used, and the number of sessions required. While the costs can vary, it’s essential to weigh the benefits against the investment. With the right approach, you can achieve the glowing skin you desire.

If you’re considering laser skin whitening treatment, ensure you consult with a qualified professional to discuss your options and get a personalized quote.

[stellaphlebotomist]

Phlebotomy Technician Salaries Revealed: How Much Do Certified Phlebotomy Technicians Make?

Phlebotomy Technician Salaries ⁢Revealed: How Much Do Certified Phlebotomy Technicians Make?

Are you considering a career as a phlebotomy technician?⁢ If⁤ so, one ‍of‌ the most common questions you may have is how ​much ‍you can expect ‌to earn in this field. Certified phlebotomy technicians play a⁤ crucial ​role‌ in the healthcare industry by drawing blood from​ patients ⁢for various⁢ medical tests, transfusions, or research purposes. Their ⁣skills are in high demand, and as a result, ⁢their salaries can ⁢be quite competitive. In this article, we​ will delve into the salaries ⁣of certified phlebotomy ‍technicians and explore what‍ factors​ can influence their‌ earnings.

What is a‌ Phlebotomy Technician?

Before ​we delve ‍into the salary details, let’s first understand what a phlebotomy technician does. A phlebotomy technician, also known as a phlebotomist, is a healthcare professional trained‌ to ‍draw blood from patients for medical testing, donations, or transfusions. They are responsible for ensuring patient safety​ and⁤ comfort while collecting blood samples and labeling them correctly ⁤for testing. Phlebotomy technicians work in a variety of ‌settings, including hospitals, clinics, blood donation centers, and⁢ diagnostic laboratories.

Factors That Influence Phlebotomy Technician Salaries

Several factors can influence the salary of a certified phlebotomy technician. These include:

Experience: Experienced ⁤phlebotomy technicians⁢ may ⁤earn higher ⁢salaries than entry-level technicians.

Education ‌and Certification: Phlebotomists who hold certifications from recognized‍ organizations‌ may command higher salaries.

Location: ⁣Salaries can vary based ​on the cost⁤ of living in a ⁤particular location.

Employer: Phlebotomy technicians working in hospitals or diagnostic laboratories may earn more than those working in clinics⁢ or blood donation centers.

Phlebotomy Technician Salary ⁤Range

The salary of a ⁢certified phlebotomy technician can vary based on‍ the factors mentioned⁤ above.​ According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage ‍for phlebotomists was $35,510 as of May 2020. The lowest‌ 10% earned ‍less​ than ⁣$26,750, while the highest 10% earned more than $50,000.

It is essential to note that⁤ salaries can also vary based on the specific industry in which​ a phlebotomy ​technician works. For example, phlebotomists working in outpatient care centers ⁣may earn ⁢higher wages than those ⁢working in physicians’ offices.

Benefits and Practical Tips

Aside from competitive ‌salaries,⁢ a career as a phlebotomy ⁣technician offers numerous benefits, including job stability,‌ flexible work schedules, and the opportunity to make a difference in‌ patients’ lives. If you are considering a ‍career in phlebotomy, here ⁢are some⁣ practical tips to help ​you maximize your earning potential:

Obtain certification from a reputable organization like the‍ American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

Gain practical experience ⁢through internships or on-the-job training programs to‍ enhance ⁣your skills.

Consider pursuing additional certifications or specializations to increase your marketability.

Stay updated on ⁣industry trends and advancements in ⁣phlebotomy techniques to‌ remain competitive in ‌the‍ field.

Conclusion

certified phlebotomy‌ technicians play a vital role in⁤ the healthcare industry and are well-compensated for their skills and expertise. Salaries for phlebotomy technicians can vary based⁢ on factors such as experience, education,⁣ location, and employer. If you are ‌passionate ⁣about ​helping others and ​enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, a career as ⁢a​ phlebotomy technician may be the right choice for you. By obtaining the necessary certifications, gaining practical ​experience, and staying updated on⁣ industry trends, you can maximize your ​earning ​potential and build a successful ⁣career in phlebotomy.

https://phlebotomytechnicianprogram.org/phlebotomy-technician-salaries-revealed-how-much-do-certified-phlebotomy-technicians-make/

[caitlinphleb]

Opening the Price Tag: How Much Does a Phlebotomy Certification Cost?

**Meta Title:** Unlocking the Price Tag:‌ How Much Does a Phlebotomy Certification ​Cost?

**Meta Description:** Are you considering pursuing a phlebotomy certification but ​unsure‍ about the ‍costs involved? This comprehensive guide will break⁣ down the expenses associated with obtaining a phlebotomy certification ‍and provide valuable​ insights for aspiring phlebotomists.

**Introduction:** If you have a ⁣passion for healthcare and want to embark on a career that involves helping people, becoming a certified phlebotomist could be the perfect fit for you. However, before diving into ‍this rewarding field, it is essential to understand the​ financial investment​ required to obtain a⁢ phlebotomy‍ certification. In this article, we will explore the​ various costs associated with pursuing a phlebotomy certification, including exam fees, training programs, and other miscellaneous expenses.

**How⁤ Much Does a Phlebotomy Certification Cost?** Obtaining a phlebotomy certification involves several expenses that aspiring phlebotomists should be aware of. Here is a breakdown⁤ of the typical costs associated with becoming a certified phlebotomist:

1. Training Program Fees: – Phlebotomy training ‌programs are essential for gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to excel in this field. The cost of these programs ​can vary depending on the institution and⁢ the ‌length of⁣ the program. On average, phlebotomy training programs can range from⁤ $700 to $2,000.

2. Certification Exam Fees: – In order to become a certified phlebotomist, individuals must pass a‌ certification exam administered by organizations such as ​the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) or ⁤the ‍American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The cost of these certification exams typically ⁢ranges from $100 to $200.

3.⁣ Study Materials: -⁣ Additional expenses may include the cost of‍ study materials such as textbooks, practice exams, and online resources. These study materials are essential for preparing for the certification exam and honing your phlebotomy skills. The cost of study materials can vary but generally falls between $50 to ‍$200.

4. Membership Dues: – Some certification agencies require phlebotomists to maintain active membership by paying annual dues. The cost of membership dues can range from $50 to $100 per year.

5. Renewal Fees: – Phlebotomy certifications are‍ typically valid for a ‌certain period, after which⁤ they must be renewed. Renewal fees for phlebotomy certifications can range from $50 to $100.

**Benefits ⁢of Obtaining a Phlebotomy Certification:** -‍ Increased job opportunities – Higher earning potential – Professional advancement opportunities – ⁤Job security – Personal satisfaction from helping others

**Practical⁢ Tips for Managing Phlebotomy ‍Certification Costs:** – Research different training programs to find one that fits your budget – Look for scholarships⁤ or financial aid options – Create a study budget to plan for expenses related to study materials and exam fees – Consider​ working part-time while pursuing your certification to offset costs

**Conclusion:** Becoming a certified phlebotomist can be a rewarding and fulfilling career choice⁤ for individuals who are passionate about healthcare and helping others. While‌ pursuing a phlebotomy certification does entail⁣ some financial investment, the benefits ‍of ​obtaining certification, including ‌increased job opportunities and earning ⁤potential, make it a⁤ worthwhile endeavor. By⁢ understanding the ⁣costs associated with obtaining a phlebotomy certification and implementing ‍practical tips for managing expenses, aspiring phlebotomists can successfully navigate the financial aspect⁤ of pursuing their career goals.

https://phlebotomytechnicianschools.net/opening-the-price-tag-how-much-does-a-phlebotomy-certification-cost/