Scott Alexander presents a partial defense of 'therapy culture', comparing its focus on self-discovery to helping people overcome a form of 'preference alexithymia'. Longer summary

Scott Alexander discusses the concept of 'therapy culture' and its focus on finding one's 'true self'. He presents a defense of this approach by comparing it to alexithymia, a condition where people struggle to identify their emotions. Scott extends this idea to preferences, suggesting that some people might have a form of 'preference alexithymia'. In this light, therapy culture's emphasis on self-discovery could be seen as helping people recognize and understand their own preferences, rather than imposing artificial ones. However, he also acknowledges the potential risks of this approach, such as therapists potentially convincing people they have preferences they don't actually have. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander provides a detailed guide on understanding, preventing, and treating nightmares, covering causes, lifestyle changes, therapies, and medications. Longer summary

This post provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and treating nightmares. It covers the potential causes of nightmares, lifestyle changes that can help reduce them, and various therapies and medications that can be effective. The author discusses the role of stress, sleep quality, and medical conditions in nightmare occurrence. The post also details specific therapeutic approaches like Image Rehearsal Therapy, Systematic Desensitization, and Lucid Dreaming Therapy, as well as the use of prazosin as a medication for nightmares. The author concludes by recommending resources for further information. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander examines why therapy works for some people but not others, suggesting that individual differences in mental processes might explain its varying effectiveness. Longer summary

Scott Alexander explores the debate around the effectiveness of therapy, particularly supportive therapy. He acknowledges the wide range of opinions, from those who see therapy as a waste of money to those who find it incredibly beneficial. The post delves into the possible reasons for these differing views, suggesting that individual differences in mental processes might explain why therapy works for some but not others. Scott discusses examples of people lacking certain mental abilities that others take for granted, such as problem-solving skills or inner monologue, and speculates that these differences might influence therapy's effectiveness. He emphasizes that everyone likely has some deficiencies in basic human functioning, and that the variation in thought processes could explain the varying benefits people derive from therapy. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander introduces the 'Psychiat-List', a crowd-sourced list of recommended mental health professionals for the rationalist community. Longer summary

Scott Alexander has created a list of mental health professionals recommended by members of the rationalist community, called the 'Psychiat-List'. The list is currently short and mostly focused on the Bay Area, but Scott is seeking crowd-sourced recommendations to expand it to more providers and cities. He encourages readers to provide additional recommendations, especially for cities likely to have many SSC readers, and to share experiences with professionals already on the list. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander offers various strategies for obtaining affordable mental health care and medication in the US, including discount programs, therapy alternatives, and supplement options. Longer summary

This post provides detailed advice on how to access mental health care and medication on a budget in the US. Scott outlines various strategies for obtaining prescription medications at lower costs, including using discount websites, pill splitting, and patient assistance programs. He also discusses affordable therapy options and supplement alternatives to prescription drugs. The post is aimed at those who don't qualify for government assistance and includes both legal and potentially legal methods. Scott emphasizes that this is not medical advice and should be used at one's own risk. Shorter summary

A collection of interesting links covering science, technology, culture, and economics, including updates on DNA malware, AI gaming, prison censorship, and various scientific studies. Longer summary

This is a link roundup post covering various interesting news and studies. Topics include DNA-encoded malware, AI in gaming, prison book bans, studies on therapy effectiveness, global inequality trends, and various scientific and cultural curiosities. The post follows Scott's typical link roundup format, providing brief commentary and context for each item, often with a mix of serious analysis and humorous observations. He covers both academic research and popular culture, maintaining his characteristic balance of intellectual rigor and accessibility. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander reviews a wide range of treatments for anxiety disorders, from lifestyle changes and therapy to medications and alternative remedies, emphasizing the importance of exploring multiple options. Longer summary

Scott Alexander provides an extensive overview of various treatments for anxiety disorders, covering diet and lifestyle changes, therapy options, conventional medications, and alternative treatments. He emphasizes the importance of lifestyle interventions like exercise and sleep, discusses the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, and reviews various medication classes including SSRIs, SNRIs, and benzodiazepines. The post also explores alternative treatments like supplements and experimental drugs, concluding that while no single treatment stands out as extremely effective, there are many options available for those dealing with anxiety. Shorter summary

Scott Alexander discusses finding therapists, shares a helpful resource, and asks readers for therapist recommendations in specific areas. Longer summary

Scott Alexander addresses reader requests for advice on finding a therapist. He acknowledges his limited ability to help outside southern Michigan and refers readers to a series of articles by Gruntled and Hinged on the topic. Scott then opens up the question to his readers, asking for recommendations of good therapists, particularly tele-therapists or those in the Bay Area and New York City. He provides a list of recommended therapists in various locations as shared by his readers in the comments. Shorter summary