Just like political propaganda networks, psychiatry seems to run its own disinformation machine. It operates like a narrative factory, and (fake) online forums are one of its easiest battlegrounds. The trick is subtle: fake “patients,” sockpuppet accounts, and staged debates that always end with “See? Meds saved my life.” Even the fake accounts who play to be a bit "against" it start to doubt their view a bit. That’s not authenticity that’s manufactured consensus. Controlling the narrative online is cheaper and more effective than any billboard. A few “friendly” moderators, a handful of sockouppets, and suddenly an entire forum looks balanced and real while dissenters get flagged as unstable. That’s how psychiatry protects its image: Not by helping people heal, but by engineering an illusion to hunt for the vulnerable in society.

I wish to reply to Deamon who had an entry from two days ago. It is quite a thorough and impressive list. You originally had 17 items. I am reacting to 12 of them. I was never institutionalized, thank God, never drugged, but still had a God awful experience with my psychiatrist: 1. Selective attention; Narrative distortion a. Both result in confirmation bias b. What doesn’t fit the distorted view is either omitted or rewritten c. The so-called “information” is used against you rather than to help you I am imagining that confirmation bias is the lifeblood of all that comes after. I think early on with my psych I distinctly recall that his whole MO was to distort the truth and use my information against me. He never had any desire to actually help. 2. Triangulation a. Peer workers or team workers brought in with the goal being more to add pressure than to collaborate b. You become surrounded by voices all conveying the same message. In the case of certain patients, that message might be “take the drug”. As I said I find this really fascinating, and when psychs and social workers are not treated as independently, this is how “teamwork” is manifest in the experience of others. I had the former type, and yes, they kind of sniped at each other in subtle ways. Working as a team never appears to mean that they are on your side as an ally and defender. Maybe some workers on the team stick up for you – there are always rogue elements. 3. Blame “the illness” a. if you are telling doctors the therapy is making things worse, staff will downplay it or blame “the illness”. b. The system remains pure, the patient becomes the problem. That is something I distinctly sensed. They are definitely not here to help in any way that I would benefit. 4. Ordinary pain, heartbreak, fear, and confusion are turned into disorders. What I sensed here was an utter lack of empathy to the point that I never bothered to tell my psych my problems after a while. I was still confused, and still dawdling in his office each week wasting both of our times. That was until I mustered up the courage to fire him. It wasn’t so much characterizing ordinary human life stress as disordered, but engaging in a concerted effort to rid my narrative of its humanity. 5. Deflection and Topic Shifting. I had trouble placing this one. But I think this one falls under my psych being generally a weasel. If I confront him about past sessions, he would not remember, and generally make hand-wavy remarks about “context”. Weasel words. I didn’t catalogue any, but “context” is one that stands out. 6. Shifting the blame. If someone becomes suicidal after taking a prescription, it’s explained as “the illness getting worse.” Never the drug, never the process, always the person. I hear a lot of this. For me, it was in my interactions with others: it was always my fault; asking what was I doing wrong, rather than dealing with the fact my feelings were hurt. The presumption is that it was always my fault. 7. Gaslighting. You describe what you feel, and they subtly question it until you no longer trust your own body, memory, or perception. There is that “technique” my psych had. This is where I would talk about something positive and life-affirming, and I would be cross-examined about it. I got to the point where I could confront him immediately about it, and he would sit stone-faced – a “face set like flint”, as they say. Not only non-reactive, but barely acknowledging my presence. I guess you can call it a technique. Farting with your armpit takes a certain talent too. But I wouldn’t brag about it or put it on my resume. 8. DARVO (Deny, attack, reverse victim and offender) When you confront them with wrongdoing, they deny it, attack your tone, and flip the roles. Suddenly you are the aggressor, and they are the victim. I don’t recall any DARVO. That sounds like a league beyond my experience. I just get gaslighting from a person who seemed talentless in every other way. 9. Intermittent reinforcement: After periods of coldness or deliberate misunderstanding, they suddenly act kind and empathetic. That brief flash of warmth keeps people hoping, waiting, cooperating. It’s emotional conditioning disguised as care, and proof that a parasite never kills its host. I know it well. It was my psych's MO as a fake therapist. It is the kind of emotionally manipulative activity that makes them feel like therapists but are really not therapists. 10. Framing Emotion as Risk: Every reaction is weaponized against you. That’s a bit extreme for my experience. But I can still think of an anecdote characterized by more “normal” therapists and recalling my remark that a lady I once knew said she was mixed up because "maybe she was seeing a psychiatrist" hit too close to home for a later good therapist I had, and he immediately ended the session, escorting me to the door. It was the last session we had, and I didn’t care for another session, although I am sure I could have arranged another one, but just didn’t care to. It was also the last time I saw Angel in person. 11. Jargon as Armor. It is the air they breathe as professionals. But this is a side issue. 12. Narrative Hegemony - Psychiatry doesn’t fight for truth, it fights for ownership of the story. Whoever owns the story, owns the power. And here I am after 40 years of diary writing, owning the story. I know the whole thing about power. As a follower, you give power to leaders you trust. When you no longer trust them, you can simply choose to no longer follow them. It is a very simple philosophy. Sarah Knight 8 years ago, in a Ted Talk referred to all of us as having a “f*ck budget” for the sake of things we care about, and thus only so many “f*ck bucks” to spend. You certainly wouldn’t want to waste your f*ck bucks on people and situations that are toxic, cause problems, and have no benefit. Those end up being the people you shouldn’t give a f*ck about.

Thanks for helping me when the ones who could have just held me down. I’m sober from weed for a month and have been off my meds for a month and feeling these emotions have been the hardest thing I’ve ever went through. My ex doesn’t get it cause he is too afraid to feel him emotions which is why he’s my ex. But if one can get off meds and drugs that is the most profound thing anyone can do. When I want to kill my self you make me feel alive again so thank you. We need more people like you in the world so thanks

Hi Daniel, I really appreciate your videos. Have watched many of them. I'm curious, you speak a lot about the lingering impacts of early childhood trauma. I wonder if you might make a video in the future about how adult siblings negotiate their relationships the context of each having experienced unstable and unhealthy household dynamics set by the parents in early childhood. In what ways is it possible, or desirable, for such siblings in adulthood to talk openly about the matter? Can they help each other? How might it be difficult? What might be good approaches to broaching the subject with an older sibling with whom there is some friction and the conversation doesn't come easily? Thanks for your thought provoking, hard work.

* Should masturbation be done when the body feels it? Is trying to not do it repressing and more harmful than good? *Should people with trauma do silent meditation retreats? I grew up with divorced parents. I distinctly remember the pain every time I had to go to my dads house. Everything in me said dont't go. Thank you Daniel!

Hello，Daniel.Thank you very very much for the documentary you made about schizophrenia Could you share with me the phone number or emial of this Finnish hospital that does not treat mental illness with medication？Thank you

Hello Daniel. I watched your documentary, "Take These Broken Wings." The interviews and the information were superb. I found out about your work from Russell Stence, who was featured in an article he wrote for Mad In America. I am working on a documentary on the crisis affecting children's mental health and would like to know if you might be interested in being interviewed or having any other involvement with this project. Please contact me if you want more information. Thank you.

Hi Daniel I'm really glad that ı found your chanel ıt made me look deeper to myself and made me understand my anger. I'm only 19 now and ı heard how you get out of your sitation which gave me hope. I hope you have amazing day thank you.

Hello Daniel. I was wondering if you could share your thoughts on “sitting quietly in the company of another”. Many thanks

Working in the social work and therapy fields have caused me to experience a lot of burnout and vicarious trauma that has impacted my competency and ability to carry out the work effectively and ethically. The worst part of this impact is feeling so alienated, particularly the inability to discuss these struggles openly and honestly in professional spaces. Your videos offer such clarity and insight on these issues which has brought me great comfort and understanding. Along with this, your helpful wisdom on so many prevalent topics are brave in their honesty and express a deep knowing and care. These things are rare to come across in this life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Daniel, If you ever visit Washington, DC please meet me at the Old Ebbitt Grill (near the White House) for a drink. I feel the need to explain to you just how much I agree with your general philosophy on life, and how much your YouTube channel has benefitted me. - Kathleen (an artist currently living too frugal a life to afford visiting YOU in Manhattan)

Your most recent video on sex positivity spoke to me. I agree with you, I was taught to protect myself, to acquire consent and all that good stuff and I had agreed… and especially recently I was very honest and communicative about what I struggle with to my partners… yet I just allowed other traumatized adults to re-traumatize me… and perhaps I also hurt others as well. I had no idea I was readily handing other people, effectively strangers, they key to my undoing. I hadn’t realized I was ‘acting out’ my trauma in a sexual manner at all… I was in pursuit of love and affection—what my childhood lacked. My first instinct is to say I didn’t understand so much, about my own trauma and the world… I want to know what true healing is now, and for certain I won’t find my healing in another person. I’ve lost all desire towards sexual relationships and people in general—that may change with therapy… However again this video is very timely… I will looking at sexuality and the sex positive space VERY differently, as now I understand the severity of my own trauma and the trauma of others… Thank you for your work. Cheers!

Hi, Daniel. I just want to say, that you are inspiring to me. Your thoughts about being OK with not having children completely changed my world. Well, at the same time I feel a lot of anger towards my parents… It is me who should take care of myself. I found your videos a year ago, but then stopped watching (don’t know why). Now I enjoy watching your videos, even though sometimes I can’t accept some scary facts about life… Thank you for your videos. I appreciate your openness and truthfulness. Sometimes I think that it would be great to have such a friend as you are! Best regards, Ana

Hello mister Mackler, I want to deeply thank you. One of your YouTube videos has been the reason I have finally been able to move over childhood trauma. Two things you have said in particular has helped me greatly. 1) Acknowledgement of trauma. I've been bullied every day by my eldest brother in a pretty relentless way for the first 10 years of my life. I wanted to kill myself when I was 8 years old. Everyone was always telling me that this is normal. That I should stop acting like a victim. Older brothers bully their younger brothers. I told my mother I probably need to see a psychologist but she told me, nah, you're fine. The first time I felt someone acknowledged my trauma, in my entire life, was when I heard you say in a video that most people are traumatised and don't even know it, because trauma is normalised. When I heard this I cried everyday for a week straight, at the ripe age of 33 years old. Something finally clicked. I'm not crazy, everyone else is. I've become increasingly happier ever since. I've FINALLY been able to move past old trauma thanks to your video. So thank you. 2) The second thing you've said that really helped me during this period, was that dealing with childhood trauma is like a grieving process. This is the first time I've ever heard this and I was amazed at how accurate this statement felt. It did felt like grieving. I was grieving all the years of pain I went through. I was grieving that I lost part of my childhood. And in this process of grieving I've finally been able to reach a point of mental stability I didn't think could be possible for me. So thanks again! Keep up the good work.

Hi Daniel. Your talks are greatly appreciated. I discovered your channel about three years ago and began watching you again recently. I think your perspective is refreshing, and you come across as quite authentic. When you talk about your travels it’s really quite inspiring - as someone who struggles with low confidence and a lot of discontent, I too want to take up an adventure. I suppose I want to ask: what instigated your want to travel? Was it difficult to muster the willpower to escape for the first time? Was there a specific moment in which you felt free? I also want to say that I really admire the fact that despite having been through hardships you retain a positive attitude. I find it’s so easy to become bitter and arrogant, so much so that we can lose parts of ourselves. And to who’s benefit? It costs nothing to be kind yet it costs us everything to be hateful. (That’s my spur of the moment sentiment, lol). I will say also that you’ve helped me reconnect with the parts of myself I have lost or had forgotten about. I have been journaling a decent amount - just making accounts of my dreams, my thoughts and feelings towards the people I meet, reflections on my childhood and so on. I doing so I am beginning to see my true self again - hardly without obstacles along the way! Anyhow, thanks for doing what you do - a lot of us really appreciate your videos and I wanted to share that with you. Yours sincerely -a random 22 year old from England