Bad Therapy

Why the Kids Aren't Growing Up

De: Abigail Shrier

Narrado por: Abigail Shrier

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER.

From the author of Irreversible Damage, an investigation into a mental health industry that is harming, not healing, American children

In virtually every way that can be measured, Gen Z’s mental health is worse than that of previous generations. Youth suicide rates are climbing, antidepressant prescriptions for children are common, and the proliferation of mental health diagnoses has not helped the staggering number of kids who are lonely, lost, sad and fearful of growing up. What’s gone wrong with America’s youth?

In Bad Therapy, bestselling investigative journalist Abigail Shrier argues that the problem isn’t the kids—it’s the mental health experts. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with child psychologists, parents, teachers, and young people, Shrier explores the ways the mental health industry has transformed the way we teach, treat, discipline, and even talk to our kids. She reveals that most of the therapeutic approaches have serious side effects and few proven benefits. Among her unsettling findings:

• Talk therapy can induce rumination, trapping children in cycles of anxiety and depression
• Social Emotional Learning handicaps our most vulnerable children, in both public schools and private
• “Gentle parenting” can encourage emotional turbulence—even violence—in children as they lash out, desperate for an adult in charge

Mental health care can be lifesaving when properly applied to children with severe needs, but for the typical child, the cure can be worse than the disease. Bad Therapy is a must-listen for anyone questioning why our efforts to bolster America’s kids have backfired—and what it will take for parents to lead a turnaround.

©2024 Abigail Shrier (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Every parent should read this."—Elon Musk

“Essential reading for parents, teachers, and mental health professionals.”—Richard J. McNally, PhD, professor of psychology at Harvard University

“Shrier persuasively and forcefully demonstrates how mental health professionals (and some parents) often make things worse for the kids and adolescents they aim to help."—Elizabeth Loftus, distinguished professor of psychological science at University of California, Irvine

I wish I had this idea when my kids were younger!

We listen to far to many outside people about our kids. I loved this and am glad I spent the time with it.

Fantastic insight on modern times "therapy"

Eye opening and though provoking. I highly recommend this book. It is a must read/listen to anyone navigating modern times, especially in Western nations. Many of modern educations problems are explored and exposed for the progressive agenda they truly are.

Every parent should read this

This is one of the most timely books ever written. We are currently in the therapy epidemic which is hurting our children. This book will help you understand what to do and how to raise great children.

Opened my eyes to my own blind spots

It is easy to point fingers at the “brittle kids” these days but it was painful when I started to realize many of these truths I was not acknowledging in my own life. Great book!

I’m a teacher and I can tell you that this book is soo true.

I live this every day. Instead of having a bad day and not wanting to come to school, they now have separation anxiety. It’s making the kids worse!

Where did we go wrong? Turns out it’s pretty obvious…

A straightforward, realistic, and understandable explanation for why our younger generation is struggling to adapt to adulthood

Incredible

Highly recommend. I will listen a few more times, and am grateful for her research and work.

A must read

A great book, and well written and a must listen for all parents and all adults

School staff convince normal kids they are not OK

Abigail Shrier has validated my experience with school staff who don’t even like children making mental health diagnosis for normal students, Parents are told the kid can’t return to school without a note for a fidget toy from a doctor. Any normal person facing an unchallenging lecture and material is likely to be in need of better academic environment. No concern for the long term health of the child by some of the staff who just seem to want a medicated bored motionless classroom to make the teaching staff happy.

Abigail Shrier steps back and calls it like she sees it. Her sharp insights and good research exposes a dirty secret. Labeling kids with mental health needs and shouting suicide risks is a way to obtain a large amount of grant money. Normal adolescents have a lot of issues to sort through as did their forebears. They can handle it, when their families and friends believe in them and provide support and strength.

For five years I volunteered on a Crisis Line and talked many people through every sort of mess that New Orleans could hit them with including those who had stopped taking their meds. What worked was being there for them to be really heard and treated with the basic respect everyone deserves. They often went off the meds to feel human again and they knew it was risky, but connections with a real person who was fully present was what was important to these callers. They taught me a lot. I am grateful. Hopefully, Mrs. Shrier’s excellent book will inspire its readers to stand up and help our schools get back on track and stop pretending to deliver medical mental health care by non doctors or nurse practitioners to normal teens. School staff owe a public fiduciary duty of a safe quality academic education to all students. Thank you for an excellent inspirational book.

Great, thought-provoking and inspiring read!

Just what I needed to hear. Trust my gut and values. Also, sheds so much light on what’s happening in our kids schools. Thank you!