85. Mass Delusional Psychosis: Dr. Mark McDonald on How Fear is Destroying America

Psychiatrist Mark McDonald coined the term "mass delusional psychosis" to describe the fear-driven response that swept the nation during the pandemic. In this episode, I interviewed him about the events of 2020 and their impact on our society. We discuss how fear became a fuel, driving irrational and self-destructive behaviors that were not in our best interests.Dr. McDonald highlights the shift in our society towards a culture that values safety over courage, risk-taking, and personal freedom. He points out the detrimental effects of this safety culture, such as the decline in IQ points among infants born during the lockdowns and the decrease in face-to-face interactions among young people. He also raises concerns about the erosion of masculinity and the impact it has on relationships and society as a whole.The conversation delves into the importance of teaching virtue and morality, as well as the need to reaffirm the qualities of healthy masculinity. Dr. McDonald emphasizes the role of individuals in shaping the future and the need to save the younger generation from the damaging ideologies and behaviors that have taken hold. He warns that if we don't address these issues, we risk the extinction of our civilization.The episode touches on the impact of the lockdowns on brain chemistry, particularly in terms of oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. Dr. McDonald discusses the observed changes in behavior, such as acute onset OCD-like symptoms and the reliance on non-face-to-face interactions for dating. He expresses concern about the increasing demand for drugs to alleviate depression, anxiety, and fear, and the long-lasting consequences of these changes in brain chemistry.Dr. Mark McDonald graduated from UC Berkeley and the Medical College of Wisconsin. Trained in adult as well as child and adolescent psychiatry at UCLA, he now works primarily with children in his west Los Angeles private practice. He is co-host of the podcast Informed Dissent and the author of United States of Fear and Freedom From Fear. His opinions have been widely published in local and national news, and he has been interviewed on a variety of platforms. Links to his writings on Facebook, X, and Substack can be found at www.dissidentmd.com.Books mentioned in this episode can be found via these Amazon affiliate links or in my bookshopUnited States of Fear: How America Fell Victim to a Mass Delusional Psychosis by Dr. Mark McDonald Freedom from Fear: A 12-Step Guide to Personal and National Recovery by Dr. Mark McDonald The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt Boys Adrift by Dr. Leonard Sax (see also: my recent interview with Dr. Sax)The Way of Men by Jack Donovan 00:00 Start02:30 United States of fear06:09 Fuel of mass delusional psychosis09:54 Moral rigidity and disgust11:37 Incalculable societal damage15:24 Safetyism and its consequences19:07 Informed consent and individual freedom23:27 Impact of lockdown on brain chemistry27:13 Less sex among young adults31:09 The redefinition of masculinity36:52 Concerns about future generations39:51 Sexualizing children48:20 Lords and peasants in society51:55 Sacrifices in education and society56:13 Luxury beliefs in safe societies01:00:05 The capacity for violence01:04:05 Therapist indoctrination and patient harm01:08:55 Detoxing from media01:12:27 Fear addiction and urgency01:16:59 Social media and success To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @affirmationgeneration.Have a question for me? Looking to go deeper and discuss these ideas with other listeners? Join my Locals community! Members get to ask questions I will respond to in exclusive, members-only livestreams, post questions for upcoming guests to answer, plus other perks TBD. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★