The hottest Mental health Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

The Dose (November 1)

Your Local Epidemiologist • 1002 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Mental health Vaccination Disease Control Health Research
  1. The levels of common respiratory viruses like RSV, Covid, and flu are currently low, but keep an eye out for mycoplasma pneumonia if a cough lingers. It's often mild but can be treated with antibiotics.
  2. Many people are feeling stressed about the upcoming elections, which can even lead to health issues like heart problems. It's important to take care of yourself and find ways to manage this stress.
  3. The CDC has lowered the pneumococcal vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 and older, but this could be confusing. It's essential to understand the different vaccines available and make sure you're protected.

The Healthy Humanity of Aaron Bushnell

Humanities in Revolt • 758 implied HN points • 29 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Self-Actualization Human Values Moral responsibility
  1. Humanistic psychology focuses on mental wellness rooted in universal, objective values, not just societal norms.
  2. Mental health involves love, reason, identity, and objectivity, all essential for human flourishing.
  3. Acts of self-sacrifice for a higher cause can be seen as expressions of deep moral convictions and values, rather than mere suicide.

Japan - Utopia or Illusion?

Win-Win • 359 implied HN points • 03 Jun 24
🎭️ Culture Social norms Mental health Cultural Identity Values Societal Issues
  1. Japan has a high level of social cooperation, leading to a clean and safe environment with minimal crime. This reflects a strong cultural aversion to social shame and a commitment to following rules.
  2. Despite the apparent orderliness, Japan faces serious issues like a high suicide rate and increasing isolation among its youth. This suggests that the pressure to conform may stifle individual expression and innovation.
  3. A balanced approach is needed that encourages both social cooperation and individual freedom. Learning from both Japanese and U.S. cultures can help create systems that promote harmony and growth.

Why We Need a Serious Debate About Healthcare For Transgender Youth

Persuasion • 2338 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Gender identity Mental health Medical Practices
  1. Understanding the nuances of healthcare for transgender youth is essential for improving the quality of care.
  2. Nuanced debates about transgender youth healthcare are important, despite controversies and biases.
  3. Major medical organizations emphasize the importance of gender affirming care for youth, but ongoing research challenges and the need for responsible practices remain.

How Much Alcohol is Okay?

Are You Okay? • 2336 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness General Health Mental health Physical health
  1. Conscious consumption starts with curiosity, so it's important to be aware of the impact of alcohol on mental and physical health.
  2. New research on alcohol can be contradictory and may not always have straightforward implications for individuals' health decisions.
  3. Assessing the relationship with alcohol goes beyond quantity and involves looking at how it affects behavior, emotions, cognition, and physical health.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Side Effects With Progesterone/Progestins in MHT

The Vajenda • 1139 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Hormone Therapy Mental health Medication Menopause Women's Health
  1. Reproductive hormones can have different effects on women, such as premenstrual syndrome and postpartum depression.
  2. Progesterone/progestins in menopausal hormone therapy can impact mood and may have complex interactions in the brain.
  3. Options to consider if progesterone/progestins negatively affect quality of life include switching dosage or trying alternative medications.

Is it Time to Start An Antidepressant?

Are You Okay? • 1238 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Treatment Medication Therapy Symptoms
  1. Depression is a medical condition, not a flaw. Seeing your doctor is crucial.
  2. Treatment options for depression vary and can include therapy, lifestyle changes, or medication like Prozac, Lexapro, and Zoloft.
  3. Pharmacotherapy, like antidepressants, can be beneficial in managing depression when used as part of a holistic treatment plan.

Why I'm Increasingly Worried About Boys, Too

After Babel • 3310 implied HN points • 06 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Technology Gender differences Parenting
  1. Boys have been increasingly withdrawn from the real world into the virtual world since the 1970s.
  2. Boys are experiencing a mental health crisis driven by factors different from girls, including retreat from real-world pursuits.
  3. The rise of technology and entertainment has played a significant role in pulling boys away from real-world activities and into the virtual world.

New Year, Same You

Ladyparts • 1437 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Self-care Mental health Gratitude
  1. The author's new year resolutions for 2024 are the same as last year's, focusing on writing and reading.
  2. Acceptance and gratitude are emphasized as important attitudes for the new year.
  3. The post encourages readers to subscribe for access to the full archives with a 7-day free trial.

Problems of the Modern World

David Friedman’s Substack • 188 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Environmental health Mental health Social Issues
  1. There are many problems in the modern world, like rising autism rates, obesity, and lifestyle changes, but their causes are not always clear.
  2. Different factors, such as environmental changes, political decisions, and lifestyle habits, might be contributing to these issues.
  3. Identifying the true causes of these problems is complex and might require more research to understand what’s really happening.

Being on TV was bad for my mental health.

Changing The Channel • 2132 implied HN points • 26 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Mental health Media Criticism Political Commentary
  1. Being in the public eye, especially on TV, can lead to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression.
  2. Constant criticism, particularly amplified by social media, can have a significant negative impact on one's well-being and relationships.
  3. Leaving a high-profile TV career can bring a sense of relief, allowing for personal growth and a reconnection with oneself.

Oh, However Will We "Survive" the Holidays?

American Dreaming • 169 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Holidays Family Tradition Mental health Consumerism
  1. Many people think the holidays are really stressful and they often talk about needing to 'survive' them. But this view is exaggerated and doesn’t reflect how many people actually feel.
  2. Shopping and preparing for the holidays is easier than ever with modern technology and conveniences. We should appreciate this instead of stressing about it.
  3. Instead of dreading time with family, we should adopt a better perspective. Our complaints about family gatherings are minor compared to real struggles others have faced throughout history.

I'm Giving Up Alcohol For the Month of November

Are You Okay? • 1897 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Physical health Self-care Wellness Addiction
  1. Giving up alcohol can improve sleep, mood, and sense of agency.
  2. Taking a break from alcohol can help reevaluate its impact on various aspects of health, including behavioral, emotional, cognitive, and physical.
  3. Consider the benefits of alcohol you can't live without before deciding to join in giving up alcohol for a period.

Could the world BE more fucked up?

So Here’s a Thing • 1828 implied HN points • 05 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Israel Palestine Gun Control Mass Shootings Mental health
  1. The world is facing challenging, contentious, and seemingly unsolvable issues that need to be discussed to find solutions and understand different perspectives.
  2. The conflict between Israel and Gaza is heartbreaking, and it's important to show compassion for innocent lives affected by the atrocities committed by power-hungry individuals.
  3. The debate around gun control in the United States is complex, emotional, and requires open conversations to find common ground and work towards addressing the root problems.

Peter Attia's Powerful Final Chapter | #283

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 130 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Emotional Health Personal Growth Self-Improvement Work-life balance
  1. Peter Attia shares a deeply personal story about how workaholism affected his family. He reflects on his mistakes and emphasizes the importance of emotional health.
  2. He argues that personal transformation often comes from sharing real, vulnerable stories rather than following strict guidelines or frameworks.
  3. Attia highlights the difference between mental and emotional health, suggesting that we need to focus more on emotional wellbeing to truly optimize our lives.

Guest post: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Grief?

Reactionary Feminist • 9 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Mental health Digital ethics Cultural impact
  1. AI grief support tools are becoming popular. They can create avatars of deceased loved ones to help people cope with loss, but there's a debate about if they really help or just keep people in denial.
  2. Modern society tends to rush people through their grief. This pressure can make it harder for individuals to process their feelings and leads to unhealthy mourning experiences.
  3. Without traditional mourning rituals, people may struggle to find meaningful ways to grieve. Rituals can help offer structure and support during an emotionally challenging time.

Midlife women feel like screaming

The Shift With Sam Baker • 2556 implied HN points • 02 Mar 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Women's Health Self-care Emotions Support
  1. Midlife women may feel overwhelmed and frustrated, leading to a need to let out pent-up emotions, like anger and exhaustion.
  2. Suppressed rage and unexpressed feelings can build up over time and negatively impact mental well-being.
  3. Making friends can be challenging for some individuals, causing feelings of desperation and inadequacy in social situations.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #102

Creative Destruction • 49 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Philosophy Mental health Technology impact Economic Systems
  1. The idea of a 'post-capitalist self' suggests that people should shift their career goals away from traditional corporate paths, which may no longer offer meaningful rewards.
  2. Modern technology is making people feel more lonely even when they are surrounded by others, as constant connectivity can create a barrier to genuine social interaction.
  3. Focusing on helping others rather than just on self-improvement can bring more happiness and meaning to life, highlighting the importance of social connections.

On clarity and mind-reading

Disaffected Newsletter • 2038 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Communication Mental health Childhood Trauma Relationships Social norms
  1. Many people, including myself, really struggle with ambiguity in conversations. It's important to be clear about what we mean so everyone understands.
  2. I insist on defining terms when talking because my past has taught me how harmful unclear expectations can be. If we can't agree on definitions, I won't engage in that conversation.
  3. Today’s world feels more confusing and less trustworthy than ever. It’s not just personal; many others feel the same way about the lack of clarity around communication and social rules.

Untreated

KERFUFFLE • 97 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Mental health Public Policy Homelessness Legal issues Social Welfare
  1. The current state of mental health care in the U.S. struggles to address serious mental illnesses. Many people with severe issues end up homeless due to insufficient treatment options.
  2. Getting someone into a supportive psychiatric facility requires proving that they're a risk to themselves or others, which is a tough standard. This makes it hard to get help for many who desperately need it.
  3. After hospital care, many individuals are released back to the streets without proper long-term plans. This shows a systemic failure to manage mental health properly and protect the community.

Where was your father?

Disaffected Newsletter • 1578 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Identity Family Mental health Trauma Narrative
  1. The author grew up in an abusive home, primarily influenced by the relationship between their mother and stepfather.
  2. The author's father left before they were born, and while they initially saw him as a villain, they later discovered complexities about their family dynamics.
  3. Even with conflicting feelings about their father, the author acknowledges the impact of their mother's behavior on that relationship.

Screenless Sunday

Seven Senses • 599 implied HN points • 06 Apr 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Mindfulness Digital detox Self-care Personal Growth
  1. Taking a break from screens can help bring balance to our lives. Spending 24 hours without phones or TVs allows us to reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.
  2. Using our phones less can reduce anxiety and improve mental health. It's easy to grab our phones to fill moments of boredom, but it can take us away from enjoying real-life experiences.
  3. Mindfulness is key to finding balance with technology. By being intentional about screen time and engaging fully with what's happening around us, we can enjoy the benefits of both the digital world and our everyday lives.

How to read more books

Overthinking Everything • 733 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
📚 Literature Book recommendations Self-help Mental health Personal Development
  1. Making excuses for not reading, like blaming capitalism or phones, won't help you. You need to recognize that these are just reasons to avoid facing the real problem.
  2. Try using techniques like 'negative pomodoros' to create an environment that helps you focus on reading. Removing distractions and setting specific rules can make reading easier.
  3. The real challenge is finding the motivation to read. Sometimes you have to be brave and just try things, even if you're not sure you want to read—or discover that maybe reading isn't what you want anymore.

How To Turn Yourself Into A Lion

Everything Is Amazing • 1914 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Mental health
  1. Staring at illusions can trick your brain into seeing things that aren't really there, which can be similar to a psychedelic experience without the drugs.
  2. Intense staring at mirrors or a stranger's face can lead to hallucinatory experiences, revealing how our minds fill in gaps when visual information is lacking.
  3. Regularly staring at screens can contribute to eye problems, but taking breaks to look at far distances can help relax eye muscles and prevent vision issues.

Invisible Duels

Working Theorys • 152 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Social Behavior Identity Competition Mental health Philosophy
  1. Invisible duels happen when we compare ourselves to others, even if we never agreed to compete. We end up feeling threatened by their success, which harms our self-worth.
  2. These duels are often fueled by social media, where we constantly see others' achievements and feel pressured to measure up. This can lead to anxiety and distraction from our own goals.
  3. To escape these invisible duels, we need to focus on ourselves and what we truly want. Making others less significant and finding our own direction is key to breaking free.