I thought it was clear that both Freddie deBoer and Rob Wipond have perspectives on psychiatry and hospitalization that have been shaped by really intense personal experiences. I tend to find Freddie’s conclusions more persuasive but that could be shaped by our similarities in types of interactions. One thing I appreciated is that Freddie does not downplay the side effects of medication and does not claim all medications are equal in effectiveness. Managing mental health is a constant struggle to not go off the rails, but he gives hope that it is possible. And he makes clear that the cost of untreated mental illness is death, ruined relationships, and personal suffering that people don’t really even want to see. I appreciate the addition of his voice to the conversation.
Please thank Freddie for his forthrightness and honesty about his mental health struggles, treatment and recovery. (I knew a little about Freddie's personal story but honestly had paid far more attention to his writing on education and culture.).
Unfortunately, a very close family member suffers from many of the EXACT same symptoms, especially the paranoid delusions where they think that all random human activity around them is being conducted to target them for harassment. They've even gone so far as to believe the government is involved in a grand conspiracy and smear campaign against them.
This person will sometimes concede "I'm a little bipolar" because of their temper tantrums but then immediately issue a caveat that all of her delusions are completely true and they are just waiting to be vindicated.
This person has refused any treatment and I can guarantee that if confronted by a therapist, they would assert that the therapist is part of the conspiracy.
Anyhow, wishing the best to Freddie and to all those suffering from the only illness that tells your brain you don't have the illness (and to their family/friends).
Having listened to both this episode and the Wipond episode, I enjoyed the context Freddie brought to the discussion — to jurisdictions, in particular. While listening to Rob, I was itching to know if he was referring to Canadian treatment options (given his nationality) and procedures or those in the States. Freddie, right off the top, made clear that they vary from state to state in keeping with local laws. Though both men brought their own experiences to bear on the discussion, Freddie seemed to have a sense of the larger picture surrounding the key issues and thus seemed more “nuanced AF” while expounding on them.
This was a great interview, very true and raw. It’s about time the whole discourse about mental health gets back to its roots. I will check his Substack for sure. Better than the previous episode on mental health. It’s very hard to understand from an external point of view though that money can be an issue for healthcare.
So much better. He's obviously been there and he is managing now and he knows. I appreciate his insights.
But I still think, and this is certainly not a criticism, but I think something is missing from the current conversation about mental health. So, I'm writing the one piece I never thought I'd write, on the "Nuthouse Breakfast Club."
Unfortunately, as you mentioned in the bonus content, my writing process is a lot like yours, Meghan: I'm a perfectionist. So, it'll be a while...
Freddie is the writer I instinctively look to for beauty. He and I probably agree on very little politically, but he has forced me to take a hard look at my thinking on several subjects.
Just reading him, however, is a wonderful experience. He has perfected his craft and it is a pleasure to consume one of his pieces.
Awesome episode, Meghan! The conversation between you and Freddie was great, and you both captured so much nuance. I had thoughts on the mental health discussion while listening, but I don’t remember what they were now. That’s okay, because I plan on replaying this one.
This was fascinating and excellent. The stuff around mental illness and identity is absolutely correct. And terrifying. Here’s the sad truth: I think Wokeism and identity politics itself is a sort of new form of “mental illness.” What he said is true: Young far-left extremists want to co-opt mental Illness like they co-opt everything else, and repackage it as a normal, healthy new identity. As deBoer said: This is a harsh slap in the face to every seriously mentally ill person.
I thought it was clear that both Freddie deBoer and Rob Wipond have perspectives on psychiatry and hospitalization that have been shaped by really intense personal experiences. I tend to find Freddie’s conclusions more persuasive but that could be shaped by our similarities in types of interactions. One thing I appreciated is that Freddie does not downplay the side effects of medication and does not claim all medications are equal in effectiveness. Managing mental health is a constant struggle to not go off the rails, but he gives hope that it is possible. And he makes clear that the cost of untreated mental illness is death, ruined relationships, and personal suffering that people don’t really even want to see. I appreciate the addition of his voice to the conversation.
Meghan,
Please thank Freddie for his forthrightness and honesty about his mental health struggles, treatment and recovery. (I knew a little about Freddie's personal story but honestly had paid far more attention to his writing on education and culture.).
Unfortunately, a very close family member suffers from many of the EXACT same symptoms, especially the paranoid delusions where they think that all random human activity around them is being conducted to target them for harassment. They've even gone so far as to believe the government is involved in a grand conspiracy and smear campaign against them.
This person will sometimes concede "I'm a little bipolar" because of their temper tantrums but then immediately issue a caveat that all of her delusions are completely true and they are just waiting to be vindicated.
This person has refused any treatment and I can guarantee that if confronted by a therapist, they would assert that the therapist is part of the conspiracy.
Anyhow, wishing the best to Freddie and to all those suffering from the only illness that tells your brain you don't have the illness (and to their family/friends).
Having listened to both this episode and the Wipond episode, I enjoyed the context Freddie brought to the discussion — to jurisdictions, in particular. While listening to Rob, I was itching to know if he was referring to Canadian treatment options (given his nationality) and procedures or those in the States. Freddie, right off the top, made clear that they vary from state to state in keeping with local laws. Though both men brought their own experiences to bear on the discussion, Freddie seemed to have a sense of the larger picture surrounding the key issues and thus seemed more “nuanced AF” while expounding on them.
This was a great interview, very true and raw. It’s about time the whole discourse about mental health gets back to its roots. I will check his Substack for sure. Better than the previous episode on mental health. It’s very hard to understand from an external point of view though that money can be an issue for healthcare.
So much better. He's obviously been there and he is managing now and he knows. I appreciate his insights.
But I still think, and this is certainly not a criticism, but I think something is missing from the current conversation about mental health. So, I'm writing the one piece I never thought I'd write, on the "Nuthouse Breakfast Club."
Unfortunately, as you mentioned in the bonus content, my writing process is a lot like yours, Meghan: I'm a perfectionist. So, it'll be a while...
Freddie is the writer I instinctively look to for beauty. He and I probably agree on very little politically, but he has forced me to take a hard look at my thinking on several subjects.
Just reading him, however, is a wonderful experience. He has perfected his craft and it is a pleasure to consume one of his pieces.
Bravo for bringing him on for an interview!
Awesome episode, Meghan! The conversation between you and Freddie was great, and you both captured so much nuance. I had thoughts on the mental health discussion while listening, but I don’t remember what they were now. That’s okay, because I plan on replaying this one.
This was fascinating and excellent. The stuff around mental illness and identity is absolutely correct. And terrifying. Here’s the sad truth: I think Wokeism and identity politics itself is a sort of new form of “mental illness.” What he said is true: Young far-left extremists want to co-opt mental Illness like they co-opt everything else, and repackage it as a normal, healthy new identity. As deBoer said: This is a harsh slap in the face to every seriously mentally ill person.
Also, his bipolar sounds like my OCD at its worst: https://reallife82.substack.com/p/obsessive-compulsive-disorder
Just saw this article from slate: https://slate.com/technology/2023/03/schizophrenia-pride-movement.html