Conversation

With all this well-intentioned exhortation to seek mental health help, I sometimes wonder if the reason people don’t is that mental health is a market of lemons. I personally suspect a randomly picked mental health pro out of the phone book is more likely to harm then help.
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Probably the most important note we’ve published on Epsilon Theory, certainly the bravest. By @WRGuinn. Thank you, Rusty. epsilontheory.com/mental-toughne
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heey Venkat, just read your Atlantic article on mobilising for climate change being analogous to WW2’s mobilisations. Brilliant - but it’s from a few years ago. How have your views changed? Also, any reading recos?
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a lot of therapy outcomes research out there. a small amount (5%) of ppl "deteriorate," but nobody asking anymore IF therapy works--evidence of efficacy is overwhelming. the right Qs are WHY does it work and why outcomes haven't improved in the last 30 yrs.
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Do these studies control for self-selection, survivorship bias, and most importantly, variance in provider quality? I’m sure therapy works — under lab trial conditions holding provider quality at a high standard. Not so sure about Podunk U. strip-mall therapy world.
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I agree. Tons of mediocrity out there. No way to know who is going to really help you. Best one can do is get a personal reference and even then......what is the measure of a “good” therapist?
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This tweet is irresponsible. I have known several people with serious mental health disorders over the years (schizophrenia and bi-polar). The ones who got treatment are at the top of their fields, have wonderful relationships. The ones who didn't started screaming like animals.
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Stress is a signal to change. Meds.... 1) temporarily dull the signal & allow no change 2) short circuit the building of real metal toughness 3) habituate pill-based solutions 1 in 6 Americans take psych meds THAT is the problem.
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