We need to do definitions. My definition of long Covid is symptoms last 4 or more weeks after initial infection. This has now changed to 12 weeks after infection.
What is Long COVID? - British Lung Foundation
What is Long COVID?
Long COVID is used to describe signs and symptoms that last for a few weeks or months after having a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19.
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Coronavirus » Post-COVID Syndrome (Long COVID)
Post-COVID Syndrome (Long COVID) What is Post-COVID syndrome/Long COVID?
Emerging evidence and patient testimony is showing a growing number of people who contract COVID-19 cannot shake off the effects of the virus months after initially falling ill. Symptoms are wide-ranging and fluctuating, and can include breathlessness, chronic fatigue, “brain fog”, anxiety and stress.
The NICE guideline scope published on 30 October 2020 defines post-COVID syndrome as signs and symptoms that develop during or following an infection consistent with COVID-19 which continue for more than 12 weeks and are not explained by an alternative diagnosis. The definition says the condition usually presents with clusters of symptoms, often overlapping, which may change over time and can affect any system within the body. It also notes that many people with post-COVID syndrome can also experience generalised pain, fatigue, persisting high temperature and psychiatric problems.
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Basically if someone gets sick with Covid, either asymptomatically or symptomatically; if they do not better; after 4 weeks it is called - Long Covid; and after 12 weeks it is called Post-COVID syndrome.
So those who lose their sense of smell, or it comes back as everything smells of poo, have Post-COVID syndrome. And it may mean they lose their jobs, and need disability.
I am also getting confused, as you write in your post, that Long Covid has a phycological origin. The dictionary definition of Phycology - is the study of algae. I have not been able to find any other definition. Dictionaries usually list several definitions, but they only seem to list one for phycology.
If you mean psychological, the problem I have with a psychological definition is that it allows people like 20Gauge to say all one has to do is pull oneself together and get going. A bit like telling someone who is suicidal to think happy thoughts, and they will be OK.
I have a chronic condition that occasionally flares up. At that point I need to sleep. 14 hours a day sleep is not enough. There is no diagnostic test. I am not imagining it when I can't keep my eyes open. It was incredibly frustrating, but I knew I would eventually get better. If you can't see an end in sight, that frustration would almost certainly become depression. Process of change for human beings - everyone has to go through it, but some get stuck at stage one, there is no way to see a brighter future, or depression. So does the physical damage cause depression, or does depression change the brain, and cause the damage. Chicken or egg.
Either way these people are permanently damaged.
I was just reading an article from the National Geographic, about scientists in Europe who are experimenting at a new way to look at the human body, using Particle accelerators. I assume they are using cadavers or organs from dead bodies. But they are finding the extraordinary damage Covid does to the human body. It a long way from being used on living beings, but it is interesting.
It is the same kind of step that an X-ray of lung to doing a gas transfer CT scan. Lung X-ray shows healthy lungs. Gas transfer CT scan shows that the damage to the lungs is so severe, that oxygen from the lungs cannot get into the blood stream.
At the moment we just do not have the tests that show up the physical damage Covid does. It took a year to work out why people lost their sense of smell. No tests available, but doctors have theorised why this happens. And why their smell will never return; or returns, but people smell poo all the time. That is not psychological, it is physical damage to their bodies.
What these people need is support. Disability payments would help, but as multiple posts on this board, show, that getting disability is next to impossible.