'Crazy cat lady syndrome': From medical myth to potential cancer vaccine

[safeinOhio]

My SO and I were talking about her boss and that term came up, so I googled it and damn if isn't real. So, here you go.

"You may know her from depictions on TV, such as the Crazy Cat Lady character on The Simpsons. Or you may know her as a neighbor, or even as a patient. We all know at least one person who has an obsession with cats. But some people, men and women, can go from obsession to madness. Is there a medical link between cat ownership and psychosis? Is there a real medical diagnosis for ‘crazy cat lady syndrome’?

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Does owning a cat make you crazy? Biologically-speaking, some researchers think it does, but others disagree.
A good deal of research links infection by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii with increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. One study even found an association between T. gondii infection and suicide in women of postmenopausal age."

medical-myth-to-potential-cancer-vaccine/lfc-2612

Now, guess where this psychosis-inducing parasite comes from?

Cats.

https://www.mdlinx.com/article/-crazy-cat-lady-syndrome-from-

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. Owning one cat or one dog or one parakeet or one fish

I could go on, but I'll control myself, doesn't make you crazy.

At some point, owning multiple animals might, and I emphasize *might* make you a bit off.

Personally, I'd take it as a badge of honor if somewhere in the future I become a crazy cat lady. Just saying.

[safeinOhio]

2. Now they can work on a cure.

Plus this info might lead to cures for other pathologies.

I just found it really strange that is a real thing.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

3. No! No! I don't want to be cured!

I'm happy as a crazy cat lady!

Okay, so I'm pretty sure I'm really not a pathological crazy cat lady, just someone who really does love cats. And has one. Yes, just one. Although I do think she'd actually be happy with another one or two cats, which probably won't happen, and even if it does it still won't make me a crazy cat lady.

I don't think.

To be realistic, most of those who have cats in their homes aren't pathological.

[safeinOhio]

4. It only affect less than .1 percent of cat owners

and it may lead to a cure for cancer.

I would never give up my cat or dog.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. That is actually very reassuring.

[hlthe2b]

5. American Veterinary Medicine Assoc: "Handling cats is unlikely to pose a risk of infection."

This posted article is greatly hyped. Yes, there is "some" truth, but folks AVMA will give you the facts. You are far more likely to contract from contaminated undercooked meat, contaminated unpasteurized milk, or handling raw meat than from cats.

https://www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/petcare/toxoplasmosis

Infected Cats (from ingesting an infected rodent or other small animals) only shed eggs for a couple of weeks during their lifetime which makes the odds of spreading to humans very low.

It has been suggested that handling cats poses a risk of infection, but this activity is unlikely to pose a risk of T. gondii infection for humans. Since most healthy cats groom themselves frequently, and it takes a minimum of 24 hours before the oocysts in the feces are infectious, it is unlikely that feces would remain on their fur long enough for any oocysts to become infectious.

Other (and in some areas, more common ways to become infected as opposed to contact with cats):

1. Handling or consuming undercooked or raw meat, particularly pork, is the most common route of infection in North America. T. gondii tissue cysts may be found in meats from sheep, pigs, goats, and game. They are less frequently found in poultry and cattle. Locally produced cured, dried or smoke meat can also pose an increased risk of infection.
2,Consuming raw, unpasteurized milk (including goat’s milk) and milk products.
3 Handling or consuming unwashed fruit or vegetables that may have been contaminated with soil containing infective oocysts.
4 The consumption of raw oysters, clams or mussels. T. gondii oocysts can survive for months in seawater.
5 The ingestion of infectious oocysts from the environment. Activities such as gardening increase the risk of infection because of the direct contact with soil or water that may be contaminated with cat feces and infective oocysts. Because stray or feral cats may view a child’s sandbox as a litter box, outdoor sandboxes pose a risk of T. gondii infection of children.
6 Transmission directly to an unborn child from the mother when she becomes infected with T. gondii during pregnancy.

[Sancho]

7. Sorry, but I can't get the link to work...

is it correct?

[chloesmom]

8. Article from 2018 can be reached with medical-myth-to-potential-cancer-vaccine/lfc-2612 URL

The link does not work but the web address in the post works if you copy it into your browser.

The article found that the exposure to cats does not cause psychosis. That's good news, since I am fostering 9 cats currently.

The cancer vaccine research is described at the end of the article.

[Walleye]

9. Catshit crazy?😹

[Marcuse]

10. Good one.