The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics
The Microdose β€’ 884 implied HN points β€’ 08 May 23
  1. Antidepressants have evolved over time, impacting societal views and treatments of depression.
  2. There is a historical pattern of seeking quick-fix solutions for mental health issues through medication.
  3. Concerns exist about the profit-centered approach to mental health treatments, including the potential harms and biases in clinical trials.
The Recovering Academic β€’ 554 implied HN points β€’ 02 Jan 24
  1. Fitness culture has evolved over the years, moving away from toxic masculinity and dominance-oriented training to a more inclusive and positive approach.
  2. Exercise can be a way to compensate for emotional distress and voids, but it's important to shift towards a healthier mindset focused on overall well-being.
  3. The shift in workout environments, from segregated spaces to inclusive settings, reflects a desire for a more positive and supportive fitness community that values happiness and holistic wellness.
Tiny Empires β€’ 73 implied HN points β€’ 20 Nov 24
  1. Establish foundation decisions that are your core rules. This means making important choices once so you don't have to think about them again.
  2. Create templates for regular decisions. These templates will make your choices easier by providing a simple 'if/then' format for common situations.
  3. Batch similar decisions together and set rules for major choices. This helps you make decisions more efficiently and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Journal of Free Black Thought β€’ 118 implied HN points β€’ 21 Oct 24
  1. Seeing myself as a victim made it hard to know who I truly was. This mindset kept me stuck in a cycle of blame and low self-esteem.
  2. I realized that being in an echo chamber of like-minded people limited my understanding of the world. It helped me see that I could respect different opinions even if I disagreed.
  3. Focusing on personal growth and unplugging from social media has been really valuable. It taught me to connect with people based on character rather than labels.
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The Rubesletter by Matt Ruby (of Vooza) | Sent every Tuesday β€’ 926 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 24
  1. Many of life's greatest experiences involve initially overcoming discomfort and pain, leading to growth and transcendence.
  2. Recognize and reframe feelings of discomfort to gauge if something productive might be happening on the other side.
  3. Differentiate between productive, growth-inducing discomfort and unnecessary fear that may hold you back from personal development.
Are You Okay? β€’ 878 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jul 23
  1. Anxiety is a natural part of being human and has been essential for our survival throughout history.
  2. Anxiety can have serious negative effects if triggered excessively or inappropriately over time, impacting both mental and physical health.
  3. Understanding your baseline anxiety level, triggers, coping mechanisms, and seeking help when needed are crucial steps in managing anxiety and improving overall well-being.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 1458 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 23
  1. It's important to express how much someone means to you, especially as they approach the end of life. Sharing your feelings can bring comfort to both you and them.
  2. Facing death can be hard, but don't let fear keep you away. Being present, holding hands, and talking about your love can make a difference.
  3. Staying busy with everyday tasks can help ease the burden of grief. Taking care of chores can be a good way to cope with loss.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 499 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 24
  1. There is a real difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, and understanding this can help clarify some public misconceptions.
  2. An update on a recent shooting shows that the shooter, who was initially labeled a right-wing hate criminal, had a different background and mental health issues, challenging assumptions about such incidents.
  3. Infrastructure issues are more than just physical repairs; applying for health insurance can be frustrating and complicated, highlighting the broader problems in the system.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 519 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jan 24
  1. A Harvard president resigned due to plagiarism, which connects to larger racial issues in America from the last several decades.
  2. Activists are bringing Drag Queen Story Hour to rural areas in Vermont, aiming to reach children in conservative communities.
  3. A discussion on the signs and behaviors of someone with Borderline Personality Disorder is highlighted through a text conversation example.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 858 implied HN points β€’ 31 May 23
  1. The National Eating Disorders Association replaced their helpline staff with an AI-driven chatbot after the staff unionized, which is concerning.
  2. The AI chatbot provided harmful information and promoted weight loss to individuals seeking support for eating disorders, raising serious ethical questions.
  3. The behavior of the NEDA leadership in response to concerns about the chatbot's harmful advice was dismissive and misleading, leading to a lack of trust in the organization's ethics.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 858 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jul 23
  1. Address weight stigma directly by pointing out negative comments and providing resources or education.
  2. Support patients indirectly by educating colleagues through patient interactions.
  3. Make generalized statements to address weight stigma if direct confrontation is not preferred, but remember it may not guarantee change.
Polymathic Being β€’ 113 implied HN points β€’ 03 Nov 24
  1. Don't let fear from social media take over your life. There's plenty of good around you if you look for it.
  2. Remember that political news is often far removed from your daily reality. You have control over how much it affects you.
  3. Take action in your local community. Get involved and focus on what truly matters to you, instead of constantly worrying about the emperor.
After Babel β€’ 1118 implied HN points β€’ 03 Jan 24
  1. Researchers should stop using the Global Burden of Disease study for analyzing mental health trends.
  2. The youth mental health crisis is not just limited to America, but is an international issue in many Western countries with high levels of smartphone adoption.
  3. The Global Burden of Disease study underestimates changes in mental health statistics since 2010, especially in depression, self-harm, and suicide rates.
Bodies get in the way... β€’ 452 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jan 24
  1. Children do not have the ability to fully understand complex issues like changing their sex or identifying as transgender.
  2. Socially transitioning children and giving them puberty blockers can have harmful physical and psychological effects.
  3. It is important for adults to safeguard children from any harm, whether it be from predatory behavior or from misguided beliefs about gender identity.
Elevate β€’ 616 implied HN points β€’ 07 Dec 23
  1. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back on track after an interruption, impacting productivity significantly.
  2. Context switching involves more than just changing tasks; it's like asking your brain to switch languages, leading to cognitive drain.
  3. Strategies for managing context switching include understanding task importance, using tech tools wisely, and fostering a workspace culture that respects deep work.
Play Permissionless β€’ 259 implied HN points β€’ 03 Apr 24
  1. Balancing structure and spontaneity is crucial for personal productivity and progress
  2. Making decisions in advance for future tasks can lead to more objective and effective choices
  3. Creating a clear separation between present decision-making and future actions can improve decision quality
Changing The Channel β€’ 817 implied HN points β€’ 27 Apr 23
  1. Aging is often viewed negatively in American society, with emphasis on trying to 'stay young' and a lack of respect for elders' wisdom.
  2. The Modern Elder Academy in Baja, Mexico focuses on helping people navigate the second half of life.
  3. There's an emphasis on valuing the wisdom of elders, a concept that is often overlooked, particularly by white individuals.
Austin Kleon β€’ 2517 implied HN points β€’ 18 Oct 22
  1. Comfort work is the type of work you do when you're unsure what else to tackle. It's about finding tasks that feel good and familiar, especially when you're feeling tired or unmotivated.
  2. This kind of work should still be rewarding. It needs to be challenging enough to count as real work, but not so overwhelming that it feels stressful.
  3. Everyone experiences moments when they need comfort in their work. Understanding this can help you be kind to yourself and find productive ways to cope during tough times.
The Microdose β€’ 471 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
  1. Ibogaine might help treat brain injuries based on recent study findings.
  2. MAPS has rebranded its for-profit company to Lykos Therapeutics, involving new investors and ownership.
  3. New bills in Arizona and Rhode Island are addressing psilocybin research and consumption laws.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM β€’ 479 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 24
  1. OpenAI is focusing more on health. They are creating tools like a personalized fitness coach and a pediatric care service using AI.
  2. ChatGPT has been able to help save lives, including diagnosing rare conditions in children. It's showing it can be very helpful in medical situations.
  3. Studies suggest that AI like ChatGPT might be more understanding and empathetic compared to some doctors. This could change how we think about healthcare.
Disaffected Newsletter β€’ 779 implied HN points β€’ 29 Sep 23
  1. Domestic abuse has become openly common in society. It's not just a personal issue, but affects our politics and culture too.
  2. The show 'Disaffected' started to explore these serious themes in a personal way. Talking about individual experiences helps highlight larger societal problems.
  3. Childhood experiences, especially under difficult or abusive circumstances, can shape one's understanding of public issues today. These personal stories can help illustrate what’s wrong in the world now.
The Carousel β€’ 51 implied HN points β€’ 10 Dec 24
  1. The American health and pharmaceutical system is viewed as harmful and profit-driven, often prioritizing financial gain over patient well-being. This can lead to unnecessary medical treatments and a cycle of dependency on medications.
  2. Many medical issues, especially chronic pain, can be rooted in psychological factors rather than purely physical ones. This shows a need for a more holistic approach to health instead of just treating symptoms with drugs and surgeries.
  3. When dealing with health insurance like UnitedHealthcare, it's important to understand that their role is complex. They can be a part of the problem, but often the real issue lies with healthcare providers and pharmaceutical companies who create unnecessary treatments.
Soaring Twenties β€’ 69 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 24
  1. People often talk a lot about boundaries in relationships, but this language can make it hard to truly connect with each other. Instead of just drawing lines, we should open up and allow for more intimacy.
  2. The idea of having boundaries can protect us from being hurt, but it might also keep us isolated and lonely. It's important to balance protecting ourselves with allowing others in.
  3. Learning to communicate our feelings directly, rather than relying on boundary talk, can help build deeper connections and mutual understanding in relationships.
The Analog Family β€’ 319 implied HN points β€’ 28 Feb 24
  1. Global Day of Unplugging encourages people to turn off their phones for 24 hours. It helps us realize how much we rely on our devices.
  2. Unplugging can improve our relationships, especially with kids who crave attention from parents. By disconnecting, we can reconnect better with each other.
  3. Taking a break from screens can lead to a fun and refreshing experience. It might inspire us to make unplugging a regular habit.
Weight and Healthcare β€’ 758 implied HN points β€’ 11 Oct 23
  1. Obesity is not an addiction like alcohol or gambling; it is simply defined by a BMI of 30 or higher.
  2. Alcohol use disorder and gambling disorders have specific diagnostic criteria and shared behaviors, while obesity is not behavior-based.
  3. The concept of food addiction is controversial, and pathologizing higher weight bodies can be rooted in racism and anti-Blackness and perpetuated by the weight loss industry.
Logging the World β€’ 538 implied HN points β€’ 13 Dec 23
  1. The Zero COVID messaging may be targeting activities like brunch and Christmas parties as risky, while overlooking more dangerous professions that face higher COVID risks.
  2. Lockdown experiences were not equal, with some having professional jobs that were easier to adapt while others faced risks from working in less safe environments like warehouses or factories.
  3. There is a class divide in how COVID risks are perceived, with some people able to prioritize safety measures while others faced greater risks due to the nature of their work.
Are You Okay? β€’ 758 implied HN points β€’ 25 Sep 23
  1. Life involves trade-offs, especially during situations like COVID where risks are present. Decisions need to balance the risk of doing something versus the risk of not doing it.
  2. COVID is here to stay, and managing risks associated with it requires breaking down decisions into assessing the risks and benefits of actions.
  3. When making difficult decisions involving health, it's vital to define personal values, understand facts, and weigh the risks of action versus inaction.