Scott Alexander offers a detailed guide on navigating the inpatient mental health system, balancing caution with the importance of seeking necessary treatment. Longer summary

Scott Alexander provides a comprehensive guide on navigating the inpatient mental health system, covering topics from avoiding involuntary commitment to getting the best care possible when hospitalized. He discusses strategies for interacting with mental health professionals, understanding hospital procedures, and protecting one's rights. The post balances the need for caution with the importance of seeking necessary treatment, offering practical advice for patients and their loved ones. Shorter summary

Scott reflects on his psychiatry residency experiences, discussing the realities of psychiatric hospitals, patient care challenges, and his transition to outpatient work. Longer summary

Scott reflects on his experiences halfway through his four-year psychiatry residency. He discusses the unexpected orderliness of psychiatric hospitals, the limitations of short-term psychiatric care, and the challenges of dealing with patients' requests and complaints. He contrasts the security theater aspect of inpatient care with the actual therapeutic benefits, noting that many patients don't find their hospital stay helpful. Scott expresses his exhaustion from constant moral self-questioning and looks forward to transitioning to outpatient work. He concludes by sharing his concerns about outpatient psychiatry, wondering if he might be useless or if the job is more difficult than it seems, given the mistakes he's observed in other outpatient psychiatrists. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander explores the nuanced ways pharmaceutical companies influence doctors, arguing that their tactics are more subtle and ethically complex than simple bribery. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the complexities of pharmaceutical company influence on doctors, using personal anecdotes and hypothetical scenarios. He argues that pharma companies use subtle tactics beyond simple bribery, such as providing free lunches or drug samples, which can be difficult for even ethical doctors to resist. The post also touches on a community dinner sponsored by a pharmaceutical company, which highlighted tensions between different healthcare professionals. Scott emphasizes that pharmaceutical companies are 'sneaky' in their approach to influencing medical practitioners. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander announces his acceptance into a psychiatry residency in Michigan, reflecting on the competitive nature of medical residencies and his unexpected positive experiences following a previous rejection. Longer summary

Scott Alexander announces his acceptance of a psychiatry residency position in Michigan, starting in late June. He expresses great joy and relief, given the competitive nature of medical residencies in the US due to a shortage of positions. Scott reflects on his previous year's rejection and how it unexpectedly led to a fulfilling time in Berkeley. He concludes by acknowledging the unpredictability of life outcomes, referencing a Taoist parable, and expressing cautious optimism about his future in Michigan. Shorter summary