8 ms·

I see a few issues with your argument. Just because something has underlying social factors doesn't mean that it shouldn't also be treated with drugs and therap

I see a few issues with your argument. Just because something has underlying social factors doesn't mean that it shouldn't also be treated with drugs and therapy. The latest wave of psychedelic research is not simply pushing a prescription drug; all of the research on MDMA, psilocybin, etc. is finding that these drugs work within a clinical setting paired with therapy. Also, I wasn't able to find a source saying that PTSD is less prevalent outside of the US. I found one study [1] that says that treatment seeking is higher in high-income countries. However, this doesn't imply that the US has higher rates than Europe, for example. It could also be the case that the disorder is just as prevalent or higher in lower income populations without access to mental healthcare. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034513/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6034513/

themitigating 4y ago
I think his argument is that the US should focus on trying to solve the underlying issues, either first or at least concurrently
- BurningFrog 4y ago
  This argument implies that approving MDMA therapy is one of the biggest efforts in the country, consuming huge resources that could go to solving big societal issues.
- galangalalgol 4y ago
  A good starting place might be the inability to afford the very treatments and medications being studied by a large portion of the population.
  - notch898c 4y ago
    I would also revoke all the mandatory reporting and other reporting laws for therapists, and remove the ability for government to use therapy/medical records for considering licensing or security clearances. These are barriers that keep people that need therapy most from seeking it.
- fasterik 4y ago
  PTSD can be caused by literally any traumatic, life-threatening situation. How is the US supposed to "solve" that?
  - hellweaver666 4y ago
    erm... reduce the number of traumatic, life-threatening situations by taking away the guns? Get your police force under control and stop trying to control peoples minds and bodies could be a good start?
    - bheadmaster 4y ago
      I am fairly skeptical of the claim that banning guns would significantly reduce gun violence. People who commit the most gun violence crimes (criminals) will find a way to get guns regardless of the laws. I live in a country where it's very hard to get weapons legally, yet almost every drug bust in the news also contains a significant amount of confiscated firearms.
      - notch898c 4y ago
        FGC-9; everybody in Europe who wants a gun can trivially have it within a week without interacting with the criminal element or buying regulated components. That goes for modern ammunition too.
        deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
      - QuercusMax 4y ago
        This past week in the US there have been several stories about people who were shot after ringing a doorbell or pulling into someone's driveway. Reducing the number of guns means that these people would not be able to enact this type of senseless violence. It would also certainly cut down on the numbers of toddlers shooting their siblings.
- JAlexoid 4y ago
  Except that it also includes a heavy dose on thinly veiled transphobia. Which is a contributing factor to mental issues and stigma.
  - pirate787 4y ago
    [removed]
    - JAlexoid 4y ago
      It's gender dysphoria...
- augment002 4y ago
  The obvious counterargument would be that having a real treatment for PTSD and other fear related conditions would likely ameliorate the social issues. Yes, taking guns away would reduce shootings, but so would helping people who are so fearful they feel the need to shoot someone who isn’t threatening them.
bluetomcat 4y ago
There's something about American culture that facilitates various psychological conditions. The aggressive, over-expressive, utilitarian individualism, the inability to just stay calm and quiet and think in solitude, the emphasis on material wealth and well-being and looking "sexy", the social warriorism and activism on the same issues.
- fasterik 4y ago
  What you're describing is an extreme of American popular culture, which is a small, biased selection of the American population. I'd be interested to know if there's any evidence that these traits are higher in the average American than in other countries. For N=1, I am pretty quiet, calm, spend plenty of time meditating, and don't really care about superficial appearances.
- PuppyTailWags 4y ago
  I think America is too vast and diverse to be described that way. Your description doesn't at all describe the no-gaudiness humble-behavior expected in most white, mid-western communities. Utilitarian individualism doesn't at all describe the vast swarth of America's most religious peoples. E.g. The Amish, the Johovah's Witness, Fundamentalists, Mormons, etc.
- augment002 4y ago
  TV and movies don’t reflect reality.
- pb7 4y ago
  Where are you getting this from? Movies?
  - rootusrootus 4y ago
    That might explain this constant commentary I see from our European friends describing America with exaggerated stereotypes that bear little resemblance to reality.
    - 4y ago

themitigating 4y ago

I think his argument is that the US should focus on trying to solve the underlying issues, either first or at least concurrently

BurningFrog 4y ago
This argument implies that approving MDMA therapy is one of the biggest efforts in the country, consuming huge resources that could go to solving big societal issues.
galangalalgol 4y ago
A good starting place might be the inability to afford the very treatments and medications being studied by a large portion of the population.
- notch898c 4y ago
  I would also revoke all the mandatory reporting and other reporting laws for therapists, and remove the ability for government to use therapy/medical records for considering licensing or security clearances. These are barriers that keep people that need therapy most from seeking it.
fasterik 4y ago
PTSD can be caused by literally any traumatic, life-threatening situation. How is the US supposed to "solve" that?
- hellweaver666 4y ago
  erm... reduce the number of traumatic, life-threatening situations by taking away the guns? Get your police force under control and stop trying to control peoples minds and bodies could be a good start?
  - bheadmaster 4y ago
    I am fairly skeptical of the claim that banning guns would significantly reduce gun violence. People who commit the most gun violence crimes (criminals) will find a way to get guns regardless of the laws. I live in a country where it's very hard to get weapons legally, yet almost every drug bust in the news also contains a significant amount of confiscated firearms.
    - notch898c 4y ago
      FGC-9; everybody in Europe who wants a gun can trivially have it within a week without interacting with the criminal element or buying regulated components. That goes for modern ammunition too.
      - deleted 4y ago
        [deleted]
    - QuercusMax 4y ago
      This past week in the US there have been several stories about people who were shot after ringing a doorbell or pulling into someone's driveway. Reducing the number of guns means that these people would not be able to enact this type of senseless violence. It would also certainly cut down on the numbers of toddlers shooting their siblings.
JAlexoid 4y ago
Except that it also includes a heavy dose on thinly veiled transphobia. Which is a contributing factor to mental issues and stigma.
- pirate787 4y ago
  [removed]
  - JAlexoid 4y ago
    It's gender dysphoria...
augment002 4y ago
The obvious counterargument would be that having a real treatment for PTSD and other fear related conditions would likely ameliorate the social issues. Yes, taking guns away would reduce shootings, but so would helping people who are so fearful they feel the need to shoot someone who isn’t threatening them.

bluetomcat 4y ago

There's something about American culture that facilitates various psychological conditions. The aggressive, over-expressive, utilitarian individualism, the inability to just stay calm and quiet and think in solitude, the emphasis on material wealth and well-being and looking "sexy", the social warriorism and activism on the same issues.

fasterik 4y ago
What you're describing is an extreme of American popular culture, which is a small, biased selection of the American population. I'd be interested to know if there's any evidence that these traits are higher in the average American than in other countries. For N=1, I am pretty quiet, calm, spend plenty of time meditating, and don't really care about superficial appearances.
PuppyTailWags 4y ago
I think America is too vast and diverse to be described that way. Your description doesn't at all describe the no-gaudiness humble-behavior expected in most white, mid-western communities. Utilitarian individualism doesn't at all describe the vast swarth of America's most religious peoples. E.g. The Amish, the Johovah's Witness, Fundamentalists, Mormons, etc.
augment002 4y ago
TV and movies don’t reflect reality.
pb7 4y ago
Where are you getting this from? Movies?
- rootusrootus 4y ago
  That might explain this constant commentary I see from our European friends describing America with exaggerated stereotypes that bear little resemblance to reality.
  - 4y ago