Posted by & filed under Introduction To Psychology, Psychology Update, Sensation and Perception, Stress and Health Psychology.

TITLE

Scent loss and distortion due to COVID-19 shines new light on the nose

 

DESCRIPTION

The field of Psychology has long studied the topics of Sensation&Perception.  We know that there are more than the five basic senses though most people can only name the five.  Perhaps the sense of smell (the olfactory sense) doesn’t seem as important in humans as it is in some animals, but when it becomes dysfunctional then our lives can become tortured as has been demonstrated as one of the symptoms due to Covid-19.  “Parosmia, or smell distortion, can affect 7 to 12% of COVID-19 patients, according to various international researchers in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Iran. Though it’s not exactly known why the virus causes smell loss and distortion, people are looking for answers where they can.  On TikTok, the hashtags “postcovidparosmia” and “parosmiapostcovid” have racked millions of views as users share their experiences, look for help, or find some community in the experience. Facebook has become a go-to gathering place as well, with online groups popping up for people to share avenues of relief for people “desperate for solutions,” as noted in one group called Parosmia- Post COVID Support Group.”  Remember that the sense of taste (gustatory sense) is directly related to the sense of smell.  The article details how difficult lives have become due to the distorted olfactory sense.  Many case examples are cited to give a picture of the daily lives of those affected.  The article describes some on-going trials to help those cope and recover.  Psychologists are involved in every step of the process.

 

SOURCE

The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 11, 2022, by Maggie Hennessy

 

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.inquirer.com/food/smell-distortion-covid-19-20220311.html

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/2p8s9rnn

 

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•Can you name the 5 basic senses and several more?

•What is now hypothesized as to the cause of the distortion of the sense of smell (parosmia) due to Covid-19?  What are some of the symptoms experienced?  Why do people feel like their daily lives have become dysfunctional?

•Describe some of the attempts at finding a “cure” for the problem.

 

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