CNN (10/22, Howard) reported, “Cognitive impairment – described as brain fog – can persist for months in Covid-19 patients, even for some who were not hospitalized, according to a new study.” The research “found that nearly a quarter of Covid-19 patients in a Mount Sinai Health System registry experienced some issues with their memory – and although hospitalized patients were more likely to have such brain fog after a coronavirus infection, some outpatients had cognitive impairment too.” The findings were published in JAMA Network Open.

Related Links:

— “Brain fog in Covid-19 patients can persist for months, even in those who were not hospitalized, study finds ” Jacqueline Howard, CNN, October 22, 2021

Healio (10/22, Gramigna) reported, “Clinical high risk for psychosis syndrome appeared linked to impairment in reciprocal social behavior [RSB],” researchers concluded in a study that “investigated RSB deficits and clinical and social functioning correlates among 45 individuals who met criteria for a CHR syndrome and 47 healthy controls.” The findings of the “cross-sectional study” were published online ahead of print in the December issue of the journal Psychiatry Research.

Related Links:

— “Psychosis syndrome may impair reciprocal social behavior “Joe Gramigna, Healio, October 22, 2021

Healio (10/22) reported, “Children and adults with autism spectrum disorder had significantly increased risk for self-harm and suicidality, according to results of a systematic review and meta-analysis.” The findingswere published in JAMA Network Open

Related Links:

— “Autism significantly increases risk for self-harm, suicidality
“Joe Gramigna, Healio, October 22, 2021

According to Kaiser Health News (10/24, Miller), across the US, “the shortage of” psychiatric “beds and mental health workers has collided with an increasing, pandemic-driven demand for mental health treatment.” Robert Trestman, PhD, MD, chairperson of the American Psychiatric Association’s Council on Healthcare Systems and Financing, stated, “ERs have been flooded with patients needing psychiatric care.” He added, “The current crisis is unprecedented in the extent, severity and sweep of its national impact.” The article focused in particular on state psychiatric hospitals in Georgia, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.

Related Links:

— “Understaffed state psychiatric facilities leave mental health patients in limbo “Andy Miller, Kaiser Health News, October 24, 2021

In “The Health 202” blog, the Washington Post (10/21, Roubein) reports the American Psychiatric Association and about two dozen other health groups “sent a letter to Congress urging Democrats to keep a national paid leave program.” The organizations “argue that many people are unable to take time off work to receive addiction treatment. A paid leave program, they write, would help remove that critical roadblock.”

Related Links:

— “The Washington Post (requires login and subscription)